Here you will find writing and resources on neurodivergent children: autism, speech and communication, sensory sensitivity, regulation, DIRFloortime®, and support for families.
This section is for parents, other people close to the child, and practitioners. You can begin with a general introduction or go directly to the issue that matters most to your child and family right now.
Where to start
- Regulation and Self-Regulation
- A Child’s Individual Profile in DIRFloortime®
- Following the Child’s Lead Does Not Mean Doing Nothing
- Floortime at Home: Development Beyond Therapy Sessions
- Frequently Asked Questions About DIRFloortime®
Speech, communication, and non-speaking children
Materials on nonverbal and alternative communication, speech development, connection, and support for children who do not yet speak or use speech in limited ways.
- DIRFloortime® Capacity 3: Two-Way Communication and Early Emotional Signals
- Following the Child’s Lead Does Not Mean Doing Nothing
- Regulation and Self-Regulation
Sensory differences and regulation
How a child experiences sounds, touch, movement, smells, light, and signals from their own body—and how to take this into account at home, while learning, and when offering support.
The Sensory Preferences Checklist helps identify which stimuli feel calming, activating, or overwhelming. It doesn’t replace assessment, but can provide a basis for observation and discussion with a practitioner.
- A Child’s Individual Profile in DIRFloortime®
- Regulation and Self-Regulation
- DIRFloortime® Capacity 1: Regulation, Co-Regulation, and Interest in the World
- Vestibular Sensory Experiences
- Proprioceptive Sensory Experiences
DIRFloortime®, connection, and development
Development through relationships and shared play: regulation, engagement, two-way communication, emotional thinking, and the child’s individual profile.
Frequently Asked Questions About DIRFloortime® explains how the approach differs from ordinary play, how to follow the child’s lead, and how to support development through connection.
- DIRFloortime® Capacity 1: Regulation, Co-Regulation, and Interest in the World
- DIRFloortime® Capacity 2: Engagement, Relationships, and Falling in Love with the World
- DIRFloortime® Capacity 3: Two-Way Communication and Early Emotional Signals
- DIRFloortime® Capacity 4: Complex Communication and Shared Problem-Solving
- DIRFloortime® Capacity 5: Symbolic Play and Emotional Ideas
- DIRFloortime® Capacity 6: Logical Emotional Thinking
Explore the DIRFloortime® section · Courses, training, and supervision
For parents and other adults supporting a child
Everyday family life, understanding the child, support for parents, relationships with loved ones, and collaboration with practitioners.
- Floortime at Home: Development Beyond Therapy Sessions
- Following the Child’s Lead Does Not Mean Doing Nothing
- Frequently Asked Questions About DIRFloortime®
- DIRFloortime® Capacity 4: Complex Communication and Shared Problem-Solving
Related videos
These videos are in Russian.
- Non-speaking autistic children: myths and common mistakes
- What matters when supporting non-speaking autistic children
- Starting kindergarten with a non-speaking child: supporting adaptation
- Can parents work with a non-speaking child independently at home?
- Questions about Floortime
All English materials in this section
- Frequently Asked Questions About DIRFloortime®
- Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities in DIRFloortime®
- DIRFloortime® Capacity 1: Regulation, Co-Regulation, and Interest in the World
- DIRFloortime® Capacity 2: Engagement, Relationships, and Falling in Love with the World
- DIRFloortime® Capacity 3: Two-Way Communication and Early Emotional Signals
- DIRFloortime® Capacity 4: Complex Communication and Shared Problem-Solving
- DIRFloortime® Capacity 5: Symbolic Play and Emotional Ideas
- DIRFloortime® Capacity 6: Logical Emotional Thinking
- Floortime at Home: Development Beyond Therapy Sessions
- A Child’s Individual Profile in DIRFloortime®
- Following the Child’s Lead Does Not Mean Doing Nothing
- Regulation and Self-Regulation
The materials on this website are informational and psychoeducational. They don’t constitute medical care or replace consultation with a physician, medical diagnosis, or treatment.
Online DIR 101: preliminary registration
Preliminary registration is open for an introductory online DIR 101 course taught in Russian. Once we have a group of 5–6 people, we will find a time that works for everyone and schedule the course on the ICDL Institute (USA) website. Registering your interest does not commit you to paying.