DIR® Floortime™
Goal of DIR: understand each unique child's
individual profile and to then promote the
developmental process to help the child reach
his or her fullest potential
DIR has been shown to improve development
and behavior.
DIR works to address the core deficits while
strengthening the core capacities of relating,
communicating, and thinking.
Fundamentally believes the behaviors we see
on the surface are the result of a complex
developmental process we all go through as
our brains and bodies grow.
DIR values individual differences
(neurodiversity) and it values helping every
person achieve their fullest potential.
Includes a stabilizing of behaviors and often
times expression of behaviors that are more
compliant with social norms
The goal of the treatment is not normalization.
DIR and DIR professionals see behaviors as
primarily a manifestation or result of processes
that are going on inside the child's mind and
body
ABA
Goal of ABA: "make the autistic child
indistinguishable from his non-autistic peers“
ABA has been shown to improve behavior
alone.
It is primarily facilitated through the use of
extrinsic motivators such as reinforcement and
punishment.
Behaviorists believe humans can be fully
understood through our behaviors and our
learned responses to the world we live.
ABA principles are rooted in making the child
look and behave normally.
The definition of normal is inherently rooted in
a value judgment of what is normal and
appropriate.
Believes that using methods causing the child
distress or pain is acceptable if the goal is
positive behavioral change or shaping