DIR/Floortime (Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-Based)
A relationship-based developmental approach that follows the child's lead through play to build emotional connections, communication, and thinking skills.
What Is Floortime?
DIR/Floortime is a developmental framework created by Dr. Stanley Greenspan that focuses on building healthy foundations for social, emotional, and intellectual capacities. The 'D' stands for Developmental (following a child's natural developmental path), 'I' for Individual differences (recognizing each child's unique sensory and motor profile), and 'R' for Relationship-based (using relationships as the foundation for learning).
In Floortime, the adult literally gets on the floor with the child and follows their lead in play. The goal is to join the child's world and gradually draw them into shared engagement, back-and-forth communication, and complex thinking through joyful, emotionally connected interactions.
Floortime is not a rigid therapy protocol — it's an approach that parents and therapists can use throughout the day. It emphasizes the emotional connection between the child and caregiver as the engine for development.
Who Benefits from Floortime?
autism
Builds social engagement and emotional connection through child-led play. Targets the developmental foundations of relating, communicating, and thinking that are often affected in autism.
intellectual disability
Supports emotional and social development alongside cognitive growth, meeting the child at their developmental level and building upward.
down syndrome
Uses joyful, relationship-based play to support all areas of development, with particular emphasis on social-emotional growth and communication.
What to Expect in a Session
First Session
A comprehensive assessment evaluates your child's functional emotional developmental level, individual sensory and motor profile, and relationship patterns. This guides the Floortime plan.
Ongoing Sessions
The therapist or parent follows the child's lead in play, joining their activity and gradually expanding the interaction — adding new elements, creating gentle challenges, and building circles of communication.
Your Child's Role
Your child leads the play while the adult follows and expands. There are no demands or drills — learning happens through joyful, emotionally connected back-and-forth interactions.
Caregiver's Role
Parents are the primary Floortime practitioners. You'll learn to do 20-30 minute Floortime sessions several times a day, turning play into developmental learning opportunities.
When to Start
Early Childhood (0-5)
Can begin as soon as developmental concerns are noted. Floortime is especially well-suited for very young children as it works through natural play and parent-child interaction.
School Age (6-17)
Can continue and adapt to include peer interactions, creative play, and more complex social and emotional challenges.
General guidance: Floortime is designed to be implemented by parents throughout the day, making it accessible and sustainable. It works well as a complement to other therapies.
| Item | Range | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Assessment | $300–$800 | DIR/Floortime developmental assessment |
| Per Session | $80–$150 | 45-60 minutes |
| Insurance | Coverage varies; may be covered under psychology or developmental therapy benefits | |
| Tax Credit | Eligible for METC when provided by a qualified health professional | |
Money-Saving Tips
- Floortime is designed to be parent-led, so you can reduce sessions once trained in the approach
- Some provinces allow autism funding to be used for DIR/Floortime therapy
- Look for Floortime parent training workshops which teach you to implement at home
| Province | Status | Program | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| BC | Partially Funded | Autism Funding | Eligible for autism funding when provided by a qualified therapist as part of a developmental intervention plan.(Under 19) |
| AB | Limited | FSCD | May be covered under FSCD if recommended as part of an interdisciplinary treatment plan; less commonly funded than ABA.(Under 18) |
| SK | No data | — | — |
| MB | No data | — | — |
| ON | Partially Funded | Ontario Autism Program (OAP) | Can be funded through OAP as a recognized developmental approach; must be delivered by a qualified clinician.(Under 18) |
| QC | No data | — | — |
| NB | No data | — | — |
| NS | No data | — | — |
| PE | No data | — | — |
| NL | No data | — | — |
| NT | No data | — | — |
| NU | No data | — | — |
| YT | No data | — | — |
Evidence & Research
DIR/Floortime has moderate evidence, with several studies showing improvements in social-emotional functioning, communication, and adaptive behaviour in children with autism. A randomized controlled trial by Casenhiser et al. showed significant gains in social interaction. More large-scale research is ongoing.
Important Note
Floortime is sometimes presented as an alternative to ABA. Many families and professionals find that combining elements of both approaches — the structured skill-building of ABA with the relationship-focused, child-led philosophy of Floortime — provides the most comprehensive support.
Red Flags to Watch For
Be cautious of any provider who:
- The provider does not have specific DIR/Floortime training or certification from the Interdisciplinary Council on Development and Learning (ICDL)
- Sessions are adult-directed rather than following the child's lead and interests
- There is no emphasis on parent coaching and empowerment — Floortime is designed to be parent-led
- The provider presents Floortime as the only approach needed and discourages other evidence-based therapies
- Goals are vague and progress is not measured or tracked in any way
How to Find a Provider
- 1
Search the ICDL directory at icdl.com for DIR/Floortime-certified professionals in Canada
- 2
Ask your developmental paediatrician or autism team if they can recommend DIR/Floortime practitioners
- 3
Contact university-based autism programs that may offer DIR/Floortime as part of their services
- 4
Look for DIR/Floortime parent training workshops and online courses offered by ICDL
- 5
Connect with parent groups that use DIR/Floortime for recommendations and peer support