DIR Model – The Preferred Model for Total Child Development

In order to help young kids learn better, there are many schools in the US that employ a wide variety of proven learning methods. One of them is the wildly popular DIR model, which stands for Developmental, Individual Difference, and Relationship-Based model. It was developed by clinical professor and child psychiatrist Dr. Stanley Greenspan in 1979, and was first put forward in his book Intelligence and Adaptation.

So, how is it different from other educational models?

The main focus of DIR model is to build strong foundations for the development of intellectual, social and emotional capabilities of a child. The core of this model is Floortime, a unique technique that demands parent-child interaction in the grassroots level. It encapsulates the general philosophy of including other therapy, such as speech and occupational therapy, in-line with the features of Floortime.

Interaction is one of the key features of the DIY model, which can help the child gain focus and obtain insightful ideas on development and learning. It is widely believed that the DIR/Floortime model has a set of pre-defined milestones that must be achieved for effective growth of a child. These milestones include:

1. Evoking Interest: The child should be interested in his/her surroundings and follow it up with interactions involving movement, touching, sight and hearing.
2. Ability to Relate: The child should try to develop a sense of intimacy, caring and empathy in his/her relationship with family members, teachers, classmates and other people they come in contact with.
3. Ability to Communicate: The child should be able to respond to someone communicating with him/her, including ability to express emotions and desire, which should be reciprocated by the person he/she is communicating with.
4. Advanced Communication and Problem Solving: A child should be able to communicate in a series of steps, such as asking help in different stages to achieve a final need. It helps them develop social attributes and improve problem-solving skills.
5. Creating Ideas: Encourage the child to relate themselves to the real world, such as engaging in communication, invoking desires and emotions, creating ideas and collaborating on such aspects by the attributes of logical reasoning and concentrating on planning and modulating impulses.

Hence, the DIR milestones ensure that the child is on the right path in terms of complete development. These act as a developmental ladder, with each milestones adding a new layer of capabilities in children.

Read More: What Makes Floortime Therapy Effective?

Impact of Special Education Schools on your Child’s Future

Children with emotional, physical and learning restrictions may find the traditional academic settings rather hard to cope with. This is because such children face difficulties in focusing communicating with others or even getting along with their peers. Parents should enroll their children in special education schools including autism schools where their needs would be addressed specifically, thereby enabling them to become more successful in the future.

Here, it needs to be understood that apart from the curriculum which has been specially designed to cater to children’s needs, the staff are also trained to look into every possible need of such kids. Classes are kept small in strength and duration to keep the students engaged throughout.

If parents believe that their child is showing any signs of stress or difficulty in terms of their behavior or academics, they can undertake an evaluation which most schools provide at no extra cost. According to the results of the assessment, professionals will provide an opinion as to whether the child needs special education or not. For eligible kids, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed, which consists of a plan to address the difficulties faced by them every day.

There are times when special education programs at public schools are unable to address the needs of the child as specified in the IEP. In such a case, parents can look for autism schools in the private sector. The best part is that the district pays for the education of kids with special needs in the private sector.

The law mandates that children placed in public schools must have access to special education programs which provide a learning environment with the least restrictions. It allows students with special needs to learn alongside children who do not have such requirements. This provides a more holistic approach as they learn in a more inclusive environment where are treated just like any other kid.

The best way for parents to identify the best setting for their child is to visit a special school such as an autism school, when they are in session. This will give them first-hand knowledge of the day-to-day functioning of such schools and also the facilities available for their kids.