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
Dilan Gökçe
,
Mustafa Cemali
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Dilan Gökçe
,
Mustafa Cemali
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.