Floor Time (FT)

The FloorTime approach focuses on building children's emotional development though social interactions.  FT challenges your child to be creative and spontaneous by having you get down on the floor and enter their world through interactive play.  The creator, Dr. Stanley Greenspan, believes that this process will help develop all areas of learning by building on your child's strengths and interests in a fun and inviting way.  FT is a warm creative way to build emotional connections and closer relationships.

Related Sites

www.icdl.com/DIR  The Interdisciplinary Council on Development and Learning (ICDL) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to redefining and promoting each child's development to their fullest potential.  This is the official website for DIRFloortime. There is a 45 minute detailed video of DIRFloortime by Dr. Stanley Greenspan and written explanations of Floortime.
www.autism-help.org/intervention-floor-time-dir2.htm  This is a FloorTime Fact sheet that breaks down FloorTime into easy to read sections.
www.stanleygreenspan.com  At this site, you can sign up for courses designed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan to learn more about Floortime.  You will be able to watch videos of Floortime in action and read current articles about the Floortime Approach.

Books

Engaging Autism: Using the Floortime Approach to Help Children Relate, Communicate, and Think by Stanley I. Greenspan.
Description: Grateful parents and professionals worldwide have welcomed this essential guide to the highly recommended Floortime approach for treating children with any of the autism spectrum disorders (ASD).  Now available in paperback,  Engaging Autism includes new, exciting information on neuroscience research into the effects of this approach, plus guidance for parents navigating the controversies surrounding the treatment of autism.

The Child With Special Needs: Encouraging Intellectual and Emotional Growth by Stanley I. Greenspan.
Description:  Stanley Greenspan, internationally known for his work with infants, young children, and their families, and his colleague, nationally recognized child psychologist Serena Wieder, have for the first time integrated their award-winning research and clinical experience into a definitive guide to raising children with special needs.  In this essential work they lay out a complete, step-by-step approach for parents, educators, and others who work with developmental problems.

Engaging Autism: Helping Children Relate, Communicate and Think with the DIR Floortime Approach (A Merloyd Lawrence Book) Hardcover – March 28, 2006 by Stanley I. Greenspan.
Description:  The inspiring success of Dr. Stanley Greenspan's unique approach to autism and ASD (autistic spectrum disorders) is known to grateful parents and to professionals throughout the world.  Now at last his highly effective and influential program is presented in one clear and accessible volume.

Tools

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vApghedypFc   This YouTube video shows Dr. Stanley Greenspan guiding a family through the FloorTime Approach.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EPHjLe7MVYE   Dr. Stanley Greenspan gives a 6 minute introduction to FloorTime in his own words.
http://autism.lovetoknow.com/Floortime_Activities   This site provides you with an overview of the FloorTime Approach and give examples of Floortime activities you can start with your child.
http://circlestretch.com// A 12 minute video about DIR/FloorTime and RDI by Dr. Josh Feder and Brooke Wagner is showcased at this site. In addition, this site also has other videos, audios, and web links.

Parent Forums

(Some forums require you to sign in to Yahoo or Facebook to locate forum names.)
Forum Name:  Floortime Repository
http://www.floortimerepository.com/  For parents and professionals using Floortime.
Forum Name:  Floortimers
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/floortimers/info  A forum where individuals using a Floortime approach can share ideas and provide support for one another.