DIRFloortime® Therapy

At Irvine Therapy Services, DIRFloortime® Therapy is a core service and foundational framework guiding how we understand and support child development. We are proud to be the only clinic in Orange County with a multidisciplinary team of trained DIR practitioners, offering DIRFloortime® both as a stand-alone service and as an integrated approach within Speech and Occupational Therapy.

DIRFloortime® is often sought by families looking for a neurodiversity-affirming, relationship-based alternative to behavior-focused models, or for children whose emotional regulation differences are frequently misunderstood or mislabeled as behavior problems.

What Is DIRFloortime®?

DIRFloortime® is a developmental, relationship-based, and evidence-informed framework created by Stanley Greenspan, MD, a child psychiatrist and clinical professor of pediatrics and psychiatry.

DIR stands for:

Developmental: Understanding where a child is developmentally and supporting growth from the inside out
Individual Differences: Honoring each child’s unique sensory, motor, emotional, and regulatory profile
Relationship-Based: Using trusting relationships as the foundation for learning, communication, and regulation

Floortime® refers to the process of meeting a child where they are, following their lead, and using shared play and interaction to support emotional, social, and communication development.

“Development is not something that happens to a child. It happens because of the child’s experiences within relationships.” — Dr. Stanley Greenspan

DIRFloortime® as a Service at ITS

As a service at Irvine Therapy Services, DIRFloortime® Therapy focuses on:

Emotional regulation and resilience
Social connection and shared attention
Communication and expressive intent
Flexible thinking and problem-solving
Play, imagination, and symbolic thinking

Sessions are play-based, interactive, and highly individualized. Rather than targeting isolated behaviors, DIRFloortime® looks below the surface to understand what a child is communicating and what support they need to grow.

DIRFloortime® may be provided:

As its own dedicated service, or
Integrated within Speech Therapy or Occupational Therapy, with DIR guiding goals, interaction style, and clinical decision-making

Our Team & Training

Irvine Therapy Services is uniquely positioned as a DIRFloortime® center of excellence in Orange County.

Four clinicians are certified in advanced DIRFloortime® training
All clinical team members have completed introductory DIR training
DIRFloortime® principles guide our work across Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Groups

DIR is used not as a script, but as a developmental lens that informs how we interact, support regulation, and collaborate with families.

Who DIRFloortime® Is For

DIRFloortime® is traditionally associated with autistic and neurodivergent children, and it is widely used within those communities. We also believe it represents best practice for understanding all children developmentally.

It can be especially helpful for children who:

Experience big emotions or difficulty with regulation
Are often described as “oppositional,” “defiant,” or “behavioral”
Struggle with transitions, flexibility, or emotional expression
Have differences in communication, sensory processing, or social engagement

Rather than asking how to stop a behavior, DIRFloortime® asks what the child is communicating and how development can be supported.

DIRFloortime® and ABA

Families often ask how DIRFloortime® compares to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). While both are used to support children, they are grounded in different philosophies.

At a high level:

ABA focuses on observable behavior and skill acquisition through external reinforcement
DIRFloortime® focuses on internal development, emotional experience, and relationships as the drivers of growth

DIRFloortime® emphasizes:

Connection before compliance
Behavior as communication
Autonomy, self-advocacy, and emotional safety
Skill development through shared joy, curiosity, and meaningful interaction

[Link to purchase our ABA and DIRFloortime® Webinar]

Evidence Base & Research

DIRFloortime® is an evidence-informed model with a growing body of research supporting its effectiveness in social communication, emotional development, parent-child interaction, and functional outcomes.

Learn More

Parent and Caregiver Involvement

DIRFloortime® is built on partnership with caregivers. Families are actively involved through coaching, reflection, and shared problem-solving.

We focus on:

Supporting caregivers in understanding their child’s development
Translating strategies into daily routines at home and school
Building confidence and clarity around what helps their child thrive

Looking Ahead in California

Beginning in 2026, California law recognizes DIRFloortime® as a required covered option for families. While we as a clinic continue navigating what this means for insurance reimbursement and provider contracts, we remain committed to delivering relationship-based, neurodiversity-affirming care rooted in development and connection. We also support families in understanding this evolving landscape and can help guide advocacy and conversation as these new opportunities emerge.