The Power of Naturalistic Play in Supporting Your Child’s Development with DIRFloortime®
Play is more than just fun—it’s how children learn, grow, and connect with the world around them. Among various play approaches, naturalistic play stands out as a gentle, child-led way to foster development in a meaningful, engaging way. When combined with the DIRFloortime® model, naturalistic play becomes a powerful tool to support your child’s social, emotional, and cognitive growth. […]
Understanding the Difference: Neuroaffirming vs Behaviourist Approaches in Supporting Neurodivergent Children
When it comes to supporting neurodivergent children, parents and practitioners are often faced with various approaches that guide how therapy and interventions are delivered. Two prominent philosophies in this space are the neuroaffirming approach and the behaviourist approach. Understanding their differences can help you make informed decisions that best honour your child’s needs and dignity. What is the […]
Neuroplasticity and the Power of Early Intervention in Child Development
Understanding neuroplasticity has revolutionised how we approach early childhood development and intervention for children with additional needs. This incredible capacity of the brain to change and adapt offers hope and tangible strategies to support a child’s growth and learning, especially when intervention happens early. What is Neuroplasticity? Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to reorganise itself by […]
Understanding Sensory Seekers and Sensory Avoiders: Supporting Children’s Sensory Needs
Every child experiences the world through their senses in unique ways. Some children crave more sensory input to feel regulated and focused, while others may find certain sensations overwhelming and seek to avoid them. These differences are often described as sensory seeking (hyposensitivity) and sensory avoiding (hypersensitivity). Understanding these sensory profiles is vital for supporting healthy child development […]
The Role of a Key Worker in Early Childhood Intervention
A Key Worker in Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) serves as the primary point of contact for families, coordinating and delivering services that support the development of children with disabilities or developmental delays. This role is pivotal in ensuring that interventions are tailored to the individual needs of the child and family, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. […]
How I Support Your Child’s Sensory and Regulation Goals Through DIRFloortime
One of the questions I get asked often is how my approach – DIRFloortime – can support a child’s Occupational Therapy goals, especially when it comes to sensory integration and regulation. While I’m not an occupational therapist myself, I work very closely with families and therapy teams to support the child’s overall development, and sensory […]
What is DIRFloortime®?
DIRFloortime® is a developmental, relationship-based approach to supporting children with additional needs, particularly those with autism and other developmental challenges. It focuses on understanding each child as a unique individual and building meaningful relationships that foster growth across developmental areas. DIR stands for Developmental, Individual-differences, and Relationship-based. These threecomponents guide the philosophy behind this model: […]
Definition of DIR
DIRFloortime® is a developmental, relationship-based approach that supports individuals in building meaningful connections, emotional regulation, and communication skills. The “DIR” in DIRFloortime® stands for Developmental, Individual-differences, and Relationship-based, three core components that shape this evidence-based framework. Developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan and Dr. Serena Wieder, DIRFloortime® recognises that each child is unique and requires a […]
What is the Social Thinking® Methodology?
Social Thinking® is a cognitive-behavioural approach that helps individuals understand and navigate the social world. Developed by Michelle Garcia Winner in the late 1990s, this methodology is particularly beneficial for children and adults with social learning challenges, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), social communication disorders, and other related conditions […]
Is Social Thinking® ABA?
At The Whole Child Connection, we often get asked, “Is Social Thinking® the same as Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)?” While both approaches aim to support individuals in developing social and communication skills, they are fundamentally different in their philosophies, methods, and goals. Understanding Social Thinking® Social Thinking® is a cognitive-based methodology developed by Michelle Garcia […]