Case Report
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The Effect of Early DIR/Floortime™ Intervention on Sensory Reactivity in a Child at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Report

Year 2025, Volume: 4 Issue: 1, 1 - 5, 11.07.2025
https://doi.org/10.61830/balkansbd.1584203

Abstract

Aim: This study examines the effect of a four-month intervention program using the DIR/Floortime™ approach on sensory reactivity in a child at risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Method: A 28-month-old male child at risk for ASD was included in the study. The Infant Sensory Profile 2 Caregiver Questionnaire (TSP) was used to assess sensory processing skills. Evaluations were conducted before and after the four-month DIR/Floortime™ intervention (2 sessions * 45 minutes/week). Result: According to the results of the assessments conducted before and after the intervention, improvements were observed in the child’s sensory processing skills. Conclusion: These results highlight the importance of using the DIR/Floortime™ intervention in early intervention for children at risk for ASD and its implementation by occupational therapists.

Ethical Statement

This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Supporting Institution

No support was received from any institution.

Thanks

Thank you to the participants.

References

  • 1. Rice CE, Carpenter LA, Morrier MJ, Lord, C, DiRienzo M, Boan A, Wiggins LD, et al. Defining in detail and evaluating reliability of DSM-5 criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among children. J Autism Dev Disord, 2020;52(12):5308-20.
  • 2. Zwaigenbaum, L, Bryson S, Lord C, Rogers S, Carter A, Carver L, Yirmiya N, et al. Clinical assessment and management of toddlers with suspected autism spectrum disorder: insights from studies of high-risk infants. Pediatrics. 2009;123(5):1383-91.
  • 3. Alonso-Esteban Y, Alcantud-Marín F. Screening, diagnosis and early intervention in autism spectrum disorders. Children, 2022;9(2):153. 4. Wang J, Wang X, Wang R, Duan X, Chen H, He C, Chen H, et al. Atypical resting-state functional connectivity of intra/inter-sensory networks is related to symptom severity in young boys with autism spectrum disorder. Front Physiol. 2021;12: 626338.
  • 5. Kayıhan H, Huri M, Yıldırım G, Kars S, Kargalı C, Durmaz R, Ünsal E. Cultural adaptation, validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the infancy sensory profile 2 (7-36 months) in children with autism spectrum disorder. Proceedings of the 1st International Early Intervention and Rehabilitation Congress 2018. Gazi University Journal of Health Sciences. 2018; 3(2):70-150.
  • 6. Dunn W, Daniels DB. Initial development of the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile. J Early Interv. 2002;25(1):27-41.
  • 7. Greenspan SI, Wieder S. The developmental individual-difference, relationship-based (DIR/Floortime) model approach to autism spectrum disorders. In: Hollander E, Anagnostou E. (Editors.). Clinical manual for the treatment of autism. Am Psychiatr Publ. 2007. p. 179–209.
  • 8. Mercer J. Examining DIR/Floortime™ as a treatment for children with autism spectrum disorders: A review of research and theory. Res Soc Work Pract. 2017;27(5):625-35. 9. Towle PO, Patrick PA, Ridgard T, Pham S, Marrus J. Is earlier better? The relationship between age when starting early intervention and outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder: a selective review. Autism Res Treat. 2020;2020:7605876.
  • 10. Arı M. Evaluation of sensory functions of children with cesarean section and normal birth during the COVID-19 pandemic. [Master's Thesis], İstanbul: Üsküdar University, Institute of Health Sciences, 2023.
  • 11. Hess EB. DIR®/Floortime™: Evidence-based practice towards the treatment of autism and sensory processing disorder in children and adolescents. Int J Child Health Hum Dev. 2013;6(3):267-74. 12. Greenspan SI, DeGangi G, Wieder S. The functional emotional assessment scale (FEAS): For infancy & early childhood. Interdisciplinary Council on Development and Learning Disorders. American Psychiatric Publishing; 2021
  • 13. McGlade A, Whittingham K, Barfoot J, Taylor L, Boyd RN. Efficacy of very early interventions on neurodevelopmental outcomes for infants and toddlers at increased likelihood of or diagnosed with autism: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Autism Res. 2023;16(6):1145-60.
  • 14. Crasta JE, Salzinger E, Lin MH, Gavin WJ, Davies PL. Sensory processing and attention profiles among children with sensory processing disorders and autism spectrum disorders. Front Integr Neurosci. 2020;14:22.
  • 15. Simacek J, Elmquist M, Dimian AF, Reichle J. Current trends in telehealth applications to deliver social communication interventions for young children with or at risk for autism spectrum disorder. Curr Dev Disord Rep. 2021;8:15-23.

Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu Riski Olan Bir Çocukta Erken Dönemde DIR/Floortime™ Müdahalesinin Duyusal Reaktivite Üzerine Etkisi: Olgu Sunumu

Year 2025, Volume: 4 Issue: 1, 1 - 5, 11.07.2025
https://doi.org/10.61830/balkansbd.1584203

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmada Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu (OSB) riski olan bir çocukta DIR/Floortime™ yaklaşımının kullanıldığı dört aylık müdahale programının duyusal reaktivite üzerine etkisi incelenmiştir. Yöntem: Çalışmaya OSB riski olan 28 aylık erkek çocuk dahil edilmiştir. Duyusal işlemleme becerilerinin değerlendirilmesinde Bebeklik Çağı Duyu Profili 2 Bakım Veren Anketi (TSP) kullanılmıştır. Dört aylık DIR/Floortime™ (2 seans*45 dk/haftada) müdahalesi öncesinde ve sonrasında değerlendirmeler yapılmıştır. Bulgular: Müdahale öncesi ve sonrası yapılan değerlendirme sonuçlarına göre çocuğun duyusal işlemleme becerisinde gelişmeler saptanmıştır. Sonuç: Bu sonuçlar, DIR/Floortime™ müdahalesinin OSB riski olan çocuklarda erken dönemde kullanılmasının ve ergoterapistler tarafından uygulanmasının önemini ortaya koymaktadır.

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışma Helsinki Bildirgesine uygun olarak yapılmıştır.

Supporting Institution

Hiçbir kurumdan destek alınmamıştır.

Thanks

Katılımcılara teşekkür ederiz.

References

  • 1. Rice CE, Carpenter LA, Morrier MJ, Lord, C, DiRienzo M, Boan A, Wiggins LD, et al. Defining in detail and evaluating reliability of DSM-5 criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among children. J Autism Dev Disord, 2020;52(12):5308-20.
  • 2. Zwaigenbaum, L, Bryson S, Lord C, Rogers S, Carter A, Carver L, Yirmiya N, et al. Clinical assessment and management of toddlers with suspected autism spectrum disorder: insights from studies of high-risk infants. Pediatrics. 2009;123(5):1383-91.
  • 3. Alonso-Esteban Y, Alcantud-Marín F. Screening, diagnosis and early intervention in autism spectrum disorders. Children, 2022;9(2):153. 4. Wang J, Wang X, Wang R, Duan X, Chen H, He C, Chen H, et al. Atypical resting-state functional connectivity of intra/inter-sensory networks is related to symptom severity in young boys with autism spectrum disorder. Front Physiol. 2021;12: 626338.
  • 5. Kayıhan H, Huri M, Yıldırım G, Kars S, Kargalı C, Durmaz R, Ünsal E. Cultural adaptation, validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the infancy sensory profile 2 (7-36 months) in children with autism spectrum disorder. Proceedings of the 1st International Early Intervention and Rehabilitation Congress 2018. Gazi University Journal of Health Sciences. 2018; 3(2):70-150.
  • 6. Dunn W, Daniels DB. Initial development of the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile. J Early Interv. 2002;25(1):27-41.
  • 7. Greenspan SI, Wieder S. The developmental individual-difference, relationship-based (DIR/Floortime) model approach to autism spectrum disorders. In: Hollander E, Anagnostou E. (Editors.). Clinical manual for the treatment of autism. Am Psychiatr Publ. 2007. p. 179–209.
  • 8. Mercer J. Examining DIR/Floortime™ as a treatment for children with autism spectrum disorders: A review of research and theory. Res Soc Work Pract. 2017;27(5):625-35. 9. Towle PO, Patrick PA, Ridgard T, Pham S, Marrus J. Is earlier better? The relationship between age when starting early intervention and outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder: a selective review. Autism Res Treat. 2020;2020:7605876.
  • 10. Arı M. Evaluation of sensory functions of children with cesarean section and normal birth during the COVID-19 pandemic. [Master's Thesis], İstanbul: Üsküdar University, Institute of Health Sciences, 2023.
  • 11. Hess EB. DIR®/Floortime™: Evidence-based practice towards the treatment of autism and sensory processing disorder in children and adolescents. Int J Child Health Hum Dev. 2013;6(3):267-74. 12. Greenspan SI, DeGangi G, Wieder S. The functional emotional assessment scale (FEAS): For infancy & early childhood. Interdisciplinary Council on Development and Learning Disorders. American Psychiatric Publishing; 2021
  • 13. McGlade A, Whittingham K, Barfoot J, Taylor L, Boyd RN. Efficacy of very early interventions on neurodevelopmental outcomes for infants and toddlers at increased likelihood of or diagnosed with autism: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Autism Res. 2023;16(6):1145-60.
  • 14. Crasta JE, Salzinger E, Lin MH, Gavin WJ, Davies PL. Sensory processing and attention profiles among children with sensory processing disorders and autism spectrum disorders. Front Integr Neurosci. 2020;14:22.
  • 15. Simacek J, Elmquist M, Dimian AF, Reichle J. Current trends in telehealth applications to deliver social communication interventions for young children with or at risk for autism spectrum disorder. Curr Dev Disord Rep. 2021;8:15-23.
There are 12 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Health Services and Systems (Other)
Journal Section Case Reports
Authors

Dilan Gökçe 0009-0000-7466-2873

Mustafa Cemali 0000-0001-7823-6628

Publication Date July 11, 2025
Submission Date December 16, 2024
Acceptance Date March 26, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 4 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Gökçe, D., & Cemali, M. (2025). The Effect of Early DIR/Floortime™ Intervention on Sensory Reactivity in a Child at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Report. Balkan Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 4(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.61830/balkansbd.1584203