Becoming a Floortime Family

The Journey of Learning to Support the Individual Differences of Each Family Member Annie Campbell M.O.M & Kianna Collier, MOT, OTR/L

Everyone is unique and special! “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” Albert Einstein

Activity

Example Problems “Solution”

  Write down the greatest concern that you have for your child. Write down what you think the “experts” say you should do to fix the problem. My child is not interested in playing with me My child has terrible behavior when we… Act out a pretend play sequence and be repetitive or learn to accept that your child may not have that ability Try to make a predictable routine so that you can support your child’s behavior

Our Family’s Journey Early Intervention • Diagnosis given at age 2.5

• Introduced to “Floortime” Behavior Therapy • Started BT at age 3 • School district placement “Ah ha” moment • 9 months later had “Ah ha” moment • Focus changed to building a relationship with my son

Jackson 11 years old Interests: Lego's, ships, loves to play with his sisters, loves to climb trees Strengths: Compassionate about others feelings, amazing memory, building and creating things, visual skills, very confident Accomplishments: Communication, understanding how to make friends and connect with others, riding a bike and not qualifying for special education Current Individual Differences: Has HFA, struggles to understand social nuances, his “brain is like a computer and sometimes it has to refresh”, very honest but considerate of others, and follows directions to a T

“I’m a little like Einstein, I like to think of really hard questions”

Video clip of Jackson’s Progression

Becoming a Floortime Family

Developing Strong Relationships “ In family relationships love is spelled, T-I-M-E” Deiter Uchtdorf (adapted from Dr. Anthony P. Witham)  “ It doesn’t matter [what you teach them], until they know how much you care”. (adapted from John C. Maxwell) Play, laugh and work together      Validate your child’s intent Focus on your child’s strengths Know and understand your child’s ID Solve problems together Don’t forget that you are the Mom & Dad!

Individual Differences

Let us focus on one another's strengths and differences that make us unique, rather than looking at characteristics and challenges as disabilities.

Individual Differences: The Roots of Development  Language Abilities  Sensory Processing/Preferenc es  Ideation and Motor Planning  Visual Spatial Skills  Cognitive Skills  Affect

Children will Learn What You Teach Them

Core Developmental Levels Emotiona l Thinking Symbolic Shared Problem Solving Two Way Communication Engagement Regulation and Interest in the World

Higher Levels of Development= Academic Success    Multicausal and Triangular Thinking Gray-Area Emotionally Differentiated Thinking Self-Reflection, Sense of Self "It seems that for success in science or art, a dash of autism is essential." - Hans Asperger

Steps to Genuine Self-Esteem 1. “Play with your [children] and take pride in the small things [they do]”.

2. Encourage your child’s full participation in life tasks 3. “Keep raising the bar a little on your expectations, always keeping [your child’s] level of development in mind”.

4. “Let him see the gleam in your eye when he does something a little more, or a little better, than he did the day before”.

5. “Respectfully engage with [your child] even when he is not doing good things, and then set appropriate limits”.

6. As your child grows older, help him describe the things that he’s proud of and the things that he is less proud of…” Greenspan (Great Kids)

Birthday surprise

Encouraging Imagination and Innovation 1. Value and respond to your [baby’s] natural interests 2. Ask questions that lead his ideas in new directions 3. Encourage him to use all his senses and parts of his body in a variety of ways 4. Spur a child to master the fundamentals of a particular field or activity in his own unique way 5. Encourage exploration and inquire, avoid jumping on mistakes 6. Avoid rote learning. Engage a child’s personal experience and interests in… all forms of study. 7. Encourage a child to think about and express his… vision for the future… Greenspan (Great Kids)

Puppy Treats

Learn to Follow the Lead of Others “Once a child can stop worrying that you are going to interfere with what she wants to do, she will let you join in and play because playing together is actually more fun.” Stanley Greenspan

General Tips  Use your affect  Don’t be afraid to act silly and play with your children  Bring out the best in your children and spouse  Try to understand and validate the feelings of each member of the family  Spend individual time with each member of the family  Take time for yourself and your spouse

Jackson now

No one will be able to fight for your child like you will. No one knows your child like you do. No one will make a bigger difference in your child’s life than you.

Activity Part 2 Look at your question again…

Questions & Comments "There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly.” Anonymous

Thank you References: Greenspan, S. & Wieder, S. (2006), Engaging Autism: Using the Floortime Approach to Help Children Relate, Communicate and Think. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press. Greenspan, S. (2007), Great Kids. Philadelphia, PA: Da Capo Press. Quotes: http://stephanie-thejourney.blogspot.com/2011/12/great-quotes-for aspergers-and-autism.html

http://webspace.webring.com/people/cb/butterfly3ss/page1bfquotes.html

http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/101458-everybody-is-a-genius-but-if you-judge-a-fish http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/of-things-that-matter most?lang=eng