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AUTISM GLOSSARY
Floortime (DIR/Floortime)
DEFINITION
Floortime, developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan, is a developmental therapy model that follows the child's lead, entering their world at their level and building on their natural interests to support emotional and social development.
WHY IT MATTERS
Floortime is generally considered more aligned with neurodiversity values than compliance-based ABA. It prioritizes relationship, engagement, and emotional development rather than behavior compliance.
COMMON MISCONCEPTION
Floortime is not the absence of structure. It has a developmental framework (DIR — Developmental, Individual-difference, Relationship-based). The 'floor' refers to getting down to the child's level — physical and developmental.