The Greenspan Method (Floortime)

Treatment Overview

Floortime is a comprehensive developmental program that promotes healthy development and helps infants and children with a variety of developmental challenges, including autism. Floortime is a specific technique in which a caregiver gets down on the floor to interact with the child for twenty or more minutes at a time. It is also a general philosophy that characterizes all daily interactions with the child.

Children with autism require intensive intervention. Left alone, they will not initiate interaction unless they need something and they will not discover the joy of a shared world. Floortime can be done anywhere in the house, in the backyard, in the supermarket and at the playground. It can be done with other children (siblings or peers) or with an adult. It can be done at any time of the day, after supper, in the bathtub, or while cuddling in bed. It can be done in the car, or when doing laundry, washing the dishes, all the time, everywhere. The key requirement is that both you and your child enjoy these moment.

The Floortime model is based on the idea that emotion is critical to the growth of the mind and brain: following the child's lead means following his/her emotions. What interests your child? What gives him/her pleasure? Whatever it is, your child's interests are your clue, your window into what he/she is feeling. The first step is to observe closely so you can tune into his/her emotional world. Once you have figured out what he/she is interested in, you can use that to draw him/her further up the developmental ladder. Following your child's lead by understanding his/her interests tells you the best way to challenge him/her to move up the developmental ladder.