Discussion: It can often seem difficult to quantify Floortime progress, but it doesn’t have to be.
The question we seem to be asking ourselves is: “how do we use the DIR model in terms of getting funding when the funding agency wants you to earmark ‘short term goals’?” notes Dr. Greenspan.
One way of thinking about this is to look at developmental capacities and target these as your symptoms: the absence of the capacities, of gestures, of engagement, of warmth, and so forth.
“Then,” says Dr. Greenspan, “when the child reaches these milestones, it indicates mastery of those symptoms. This way, you can show nice, short term gains often. In one session, you can see clear changes.”
Learn more about Dr. Stanley Greenspan and the Greenspan Floortime approach. If you are new, we have a background and introduction to Greenspan Floortime including how it helps special needs children. We also have Greenspan Floortime training courses at Floortime U. specifically designed for parents and professionals including the Floortime Manual.