Greenspan Floortime® Testimonials from Parents & Therapists

Parents/Caregivers

Family of 22 Month Old Autistic Son- Thailand (US)

Virtual Coaching
Our family has had the privilege of working with Jake Greenspan through live video coaching to support our 22-month autistic son for the past month. During this time, we have seen remarkable improvements in our son.
Prior to working with Jake, we tried DIR/Floortime methods and working with trainers through the DIRectory. These trainers either pushed our son too far, to the point where he would be completely disregulated and cry for the entire session, or didn’t challenge him enough, where he spent the entire therapy session stimming independently with us ineffectively trying to engage him.
We find that Jake’s coaching and the Greenspan Floortime method is “just right” for our son. Jake helped us find the specific sensory play that our son loves and provides real-time feedback through Zoom to help us slowly increase challenges. These challenges entice our son to engage socially with us and become more adaptive and flexible. Since we started working with Jake, our son has started smiling at us with eye contact, seeking out social play with us, and is able to recognize and differentiate us from strangers. He also has become less reactive and rigid. For example, if we have to transition from play to a non-preferred activity, he used to cry for 5-10 minutes. After working with Jake and the Greenspan method, our son is starting to show little to no frustration.
We are proud of our son’s significant progress thus far and attest it to our coaching sessions with Jake and the Greenspan Floortime approach.

Parent of 6 Year old with rare genetic syndrome causing significant global delays- Washington DC.

TheraSchool™ (an Intensive Greenspan Floortime® program at The Floortime Center)

TheraSchool and TheraCamp have been a game changer for my 6 yr old son and our family. The staff and therapists truly love my kiddo. As a parent of a child who has been through several hospitalizations and scary medical moments, I fully trust that my son is in the best of hands. He loves going each and every day, and there are times when he doesn’t want to leave at the end of the day. When my son first started over a year ago, he was taking a few steps and now we watch him running around the playground in disbelief and awe. He will initiate more diverse activities at home. My son loves art and now will independently use a variety of materials to draw his masterpieces. His speech continues to progress and his teachers are always excited to share with me the new words they hear each day. They truly love my son and I know he is in the best of care each and every day.

Parent of 2 children with Autism Diagnoses- Ecuador

Personalized Intensives (Intensive Greenspan Floortime® programs at The Floortime Center)

As parents it’s never easy to receive a diagnosis. My son was 4 when we learned he had Autism and ADHD back in 2018.It was hard to face the fears
that crumble into our thoughts, then making terms with letting go the idea of the kid you had in your mind and learning to see and understand the one you have in front of you. There is so much information, opinions, so much to learn that is overwhelming. I remember being told that I needed to find an ABA program everywhere I went, but the more I read about it the more I knew I
didn’t want to go in that direction. But then, moving through all the noise there is a light to guide our way as parents. That light for our family was learning about The Floortime Center and getting to work with Jake and the whole team. It gave us hope, clarity and a clear approach that felt right, that was aligned with the respect and the appreciation of what every kid has to offer and how valuable they are as they are! We learned to unlock the door to be able to join our son in his world, his interests and learn to followed his lead. Years later, my daughter got the same diagnosis and we felt supported and empowered by this incredible team.
As a family we are really grateful for having the opportunity to learn from Jake. His knowledge, empathy, passion to help others and the support he provides has truly made a difference for us.
My oldest son is doing great at school, has established meaningful friendships and he is absolutely thriving. My youngest has become more flexible after visiting the FTC in December and by implementing the Greenspan Floortime approach at home during the last couple of months we are seeing her flourish and overcome a lot of obstacles establishing relations at school. She is more able to express her needs instead of keeping it to herself until she faced big emotions and meltdowns, face challenges that she would avoid and explore new social interactions feeling confident while doing so. I believe that Greenspan Floortime has also allowed us to build a one of a kind relationship with our kids and therefore we highly recommend their work.

Parent of 5 year old with Autism Diagnosis- Maryland

TheraSchool™ (an Intensive Greenspan Floortime® program at The Floortime Center)

The past six months at The Floortime Center have truly transformed our child’s life. Before starting, our child struggled with expressive and receptive language delays, sensory processing challenges,
ADHD, anxiety, and mild ASD symptoms. Since joining both Theraschool and Theracamp, we have witnessed incredible progress.
Their language comprehension and communication skills have blossomed, allowing them to express thoughts and needs more
effectively. The ability to self-regulate has significantly improved, leading to a dramatic reduction in sensory-related meltdowns. Focus
and attention have also increased, and anxiety levels have visibly decreased.
The program at The Floortime Center has not only improved our child’s overall quality of life but has also brought us immense relief and joy as parents. Seeing them navigate their world with greater
confidence, independence, and emotional stability has been heartwarming. We are beyond grateful to the dedicated team for their support, expertise, and unwavering commitment to our child’s growth.
We highly recommend The Floortime Center to any family looking for a compassionate and effective approach to developmental challenges.

More from Families at The Floortime Center…

Mom of young girl:

“This is an amazing therapy team, and Floortime has been – by far – the most transformative therapy my kiddo has experienced.”

Dad of young boy:
“Amazing people, amazing work they are doing.”

Parents of a 2.5 and a 9 year old:

“I have so many things I want to say about the Floortime center and everyone that works there. They changed my life and my girls life. We were there for just 2 weeks and the growth we saw in them was life changing. I honestly wish we lived there. We flew in for 2 weeks for an intensive program and our world changed. My level of standards for the girls therapists has completely changed, as I saw what amazing therapists should actually look like. We live now by the Greenspan Floortime method and are so excited to plan future visits and do weekly zoom sessions because of how amazing they are. Thank you so much for changing our lives!”

6 year old’s mom:

“Our 6-year old son has attended The Floortime Center on and off for the past 4 years, mostly attending therapy intensives during summer trips back to the US (we live abroad). The care and attention to our son’s unique needs from the entire staff has been incredible, and it is very clear that he really, genuinely loves going to the Center, which is not always the case with other therapies he has attended. We learn so much about our son, ourselves, and the Floortime modality every time we do an intensive, and it has made a significant and positive impact in our lives and in his growth and development. We are so grateful to Tim and the whole Floortime team for everything they’ve done (and continue to do!) for our family.”

Parents of 20+ year old:

Mom: “I highly recommend the Floortime Center, as a parent and as an educator. Dr. Greenspan’s Floortime approach is by far the most humane and progressive approach to supporting learning, growth, and development for children with developmental, neurological or emotional differences.
Our family has been supported by the Center for nearly 18 years, with professionals that we fully trust and go back to.”

Dad:” The Floortime Center is a fantastic resource for families – parents and kids alike — looking for support and guidance in navigating neurodivergence. When my son was diagnosed on the spectrum nearly 20 years ago, we sought out Dr. Greenspan and the Floortime Center, which became a steady source of support for us. Now in college, my son continues to benefit from the Center’s services; he recently decided he wants to work there as an intern! We are very grateful for the blend of professionalism and humanity that the Floortime Center’s staff consistently bring to all their interactions, and recommend them highly.”

Parents of a 5 year old:

Dad: “My son has been a regular at the Floortime center for years and is enjoying the Greenspan method and personnel to the fullest! Highly recommend as an alternative to regular ABA-based approaches.”

Mom: “Our five year old son has been attending TheraSchool at the center for two years, and this is the best place on earth for him and us. This program and all the people in it make a real difference for our son’s life but also for the whole family. He now has a place where he is happy to go (he loves it), where we know he is both loved and welcomed every day and that he in this environment takes steps and grows. With The Greenspan Method og the talentet teachers of the center our son turned to the world and from here he is growing. This should be everywhere and for all kids with special needs.”

6 year old’s mom: 

“My son has been attending TheraSchool for 2 years and his skillset has widely broadened. He went from barely walking independently to running around the hallways and climbing in the gym. The OT in particular has so much knowledge and goes above and beyond to make positive relationships with her kids. The Floortime therapists are incredibly loving and caring. My son had major neurosurgery and we didn’t think twice sending him back to his normal routine as soon as he was medically cleared. We trust them completely. If you are looking for the most positive, child-focused staff to work with your child, Floortime is it.”

3 year old’s mom: 

“My 3-year old son has been attending Theraschool at The Floortime Center for the past two semesters. Before he started, he often struggled with dysregulation and was “in his own world.” Since he started, he has improved significantly at shared attention, engagement, and two-way communication. His flexibility for anything outside of the routine or expected has improved significantly due to the therapists providing him playful challenges. The therapists at the center are extremely caring, engaging and have high affect. They have built strong relationships with my son through the Greenspan Floortime method.”

Professionals

SLP- Texas (Completed ICDL’s DIRFloortime Advanced Training as well)

I had an exceptionally positive experience learning about The Greenspan Floortime Approach. The training was a well-balanced blend of theoretical concepts and hands-on application, allowing me to not only grasp the core principles of the approach but also to directly implement them into therapy sessions. This integrated approach enhanced my overall understanding of the method, enabling me to appreciate its significance in fostering social-emotional learning and supporting the developmental process from the ground up.
Having Jake as a mentor was truly invaluable. His consistent and thoughtful guidance helped me seamlessly incorporate Greenspan Floortime techniques into my interactions with children, allowing for a natural and organic application of the approach. I also deeply valued the reflective conversations regarding my cases. These discussions provided insight into how my own feelings and past experiences can influence the way I support families, further strengthening my ability to effectively apply the Floortime model.
Additionally, the hands-on training I received took my skills to the next level. While virtual training was incredibly effective, the in-person sessions provided an unparalleled opportunity to actively engage in real-time practice and receive immediate feedback. With Jake by my side, leading me through each step, I was able to observe his techniques firsthand and participate in direct interactions with children. This hands-on experience, combined with his expert guidance, allowed me to refine my approach and solidify my understanding. This combination of practical application and mentorship elevated my practice, enabling me to apply Greenspan Floortime with greater confidence and effectiveness.
I have also completed Advanced Training in DIR Floortime, but the level of support, understanding, and expertise I received through The Greenspan Floortime Approach far surpasses what I experienced in the advanced training with ICDL. While the DIR Floortime training provided valuable information, it was through the Greenspan Floortime training that I truly gained a deep understanding of the value of social-emotional learning and how to apply the Floortime approach specifically to each child’s unique developmental profile. The training, support, and mentoring provided were unparalleled, equipping me with the tools and insights necessary to tailor interventions to meet the individual needs of each child. This experience has significantly strengthened both my practice and my ability to support families effectively.
While my experience with the Greenspan Floortime Approach training has been incredibly positive, I think there are a few things that could make it even better. One idea is to include videos and articles that go hand-in-hand with the theory and application parts of the training like we have discussed. This would make it easier to see how everything works together in real-life situations, helping learners connect the dots between the concepts and how to apply them. (This has been added)
Another suggestion would be to have more focused discussion groups. It could be helpful to have groups centered around specific topics where learners can dive into areas they want to improve. Along with that, having some open discussion groups for general conversations would give everyone a chance to share ideas and experiences. (This has been added)
Creating a stronger sense of community among GF’ers is something I think would be really valuable. More opportunities for professionals to connect, collaborate, and build relationships outside of the structured groups would help spread the model and encourage teamwork. The groups now are more about learning and I think there needs to be authentic discussions based on their challenges with the training, cases, what they are reflecting on, etc. (We are working on this)
Having clear guidelines on what learners should master both in terms of theory and application would be super helpful. This would give professionals a better idea of what to focus on as they progress, especially for those working their way up to trainer. Knowing what skills to work on and what milestones to reach would make the training experience even more effective and give learners a sense of direction or a road map of sorts. For me this is very important because I don’t know what I don’t know, but I want to know! (All of the Training Articles and each type of Discussion Group now have Learning Objectives)

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Candidate and RDN, CEDS, OTS- Alaska

Greenspan training has given me critical insights to quickly progress each child’s development. I have taken other trainings but this is different – connecting extensive research to multi-domain practice. The mentorship was essential to elevate my clinical reasoning across broad cases and to facilitate parental involvement. This program has been the single best investment for my confidence in using Greenspan Floortime. I cannot be more emphatic of the value and elevation in pursuing the Greenspan Floortime approach.

MS, CCC-SLP- Minnesota

As a speech therapist with 20 years of experience my passion has always been to include caregivers as active participants in the treatment of their children and to have this time be fun, give kids their “kid power” and give growth to both the child and their caregivers. Taking the Greenspan Floortime training with Jake Greenspan was a “game changer” for me professionally and was the training I had wished I had taken sooner. When I am asked from others about which courses they should take to grow clinically and to best support the clients they see, Greenspan Floortime with Jake Greenspan is the number 1 training I recommend. This training significantly changes the relationship between caregivers and their children to being able to engage in richer interactions with one another, have more fun together, understand one another
and to support one another across settings/routines in the day to day so that
their child is best supported to reach their fullest potential. Since using Floortime with clients and families I have seen greater increases in overall
outcomes across their areas of development.

MA, LMFT- Minnesota

I have worked with children and families for nearly 20 years, specializing in Autism. I have always embraced relational approaches, and when I learned about The Greenspan Floortime Approach, it just fit with my perspective on child development and supporting social emotional growth. The experiential training has been critical to my learning and integrating the strategies into my work with children, and supporting their caregivers in learning the approach as well. Through using this approach, I have truly experienced a meaningful difference in the way families are able to relate to, play with, and understand their child. 

OT- South Africa

As an Occupational Therapist based in South Africa, my training in the Greenspan Floortime Approach has significantly expanded my professional repertoire. Jake has been a fantastic mentor, allowing me to grow and expand my skills within the Greenspan Floortime Approach. The skills I’ve gained have been invaluable in effectively interacting with the paediatric population I work with. The Greenspan Floortime Approach has allowed me to better support children in developing their abilities to relate, communicate, and think at a developmentally appropriate level, and has profoundly enhanced my ability to promote growth and development in my practice as an OT. I highly recommend the Greenspan Floortime Training to all professionals looking to make a lasting impact on the social-emotional well-being of others.

Bachelor of Sci OT (UCT)- South Africa

Completing the Greenspan Floortime course with Jake Greenspan as a mentor has been an incredibly enriching experience, personally and
professionally. The framework deepened my understanding of child development, the power of relationship-based interventions, and the
therapeutic use of self. Jake’s mentorship provided invaluable insights into applying Greenspan Floortime principles in a meaningful and practical way. His expertise and guidance helped me
refine my ability to meet children where they are, engage them effectively, and support their sensory, emotional, and cognitive growth.
I have seen firsthand how the Greenspan Floortime approach fosters connection, curiosity, and progress in children with developmental challenges. This framework has not only enhanced my skills as an occupational therapist but has also reaffirmed my passion for creating nurturing, playful, and engaging therapeutic spaces for the children and families I work with. I highly recommend Greenspan Floortime to professionals working with children, as it equips you with both the knowledge and confidence to make a lasting impact.