Excellent interview with Dr. Serena Weider, founder of DIR-floortime therapy.
Her book was recommended to us when our son was 4-5. It became the foundation we used to measure all other “therapies”. It felt right because it was all about engaging with him on his level and was based on relationships and secure attachment. (We found Dr. Sears attachment parenting books a very useful resource as we were starting our family....so this set the foundation years before). So DIR floortime was like an extension of this idea of prioritizing the relationship, following our child’s lead to meet their needs and connecting on our child’s level.
This interview with Dr. Weider is amazing. I was reminded of what to do when ABA was a complete failure and left my son (and me) traumatized. I remembered to see my son where he is developmentally. We needed to meet him where he was at. He was 11, but that was not where he was developmentally. The next few years, I sat on the floor with him, watched him play his legos, creating worlds and expressing ideas and thoughts through his play. I treasured the moments he invited me to participate. I followed his lead. I responded to his needs. I placed no demands or expectations on him. He didn’t yet have the skills to move to the next level. I had to respect this. We shared playtime. We engaged in play together. I learned so much about him. How he sees his world. His experiences were expressed in a healing way through his play.
The next few years were all about meeting his needs. Following his lead. Engaging together. Experiencing shared moments of joy. Healing through connecting.
So when I watched this video, I wanted to share. There are ways to help support our children who struggle. We just need to be prepared to allow our children to guide us. This is what they need from us.
Development is a lifelong process
Play is children’s language
Play is the vehicle for learning
Development has its own trajectory
Relationships are the most critical form of supporting development
https://youtu.be/PEcM-8_wp
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