ERIC Number: EJ1151376
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Sep
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1049-7315
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Examining DIR/Floortime™ as a Treatment for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Review of Research and Theory
Mercer, Jean
Research on Social Work Practice, v27 n5 p625-635 Sep 2017
Purpose: To review and assess theory and research supporting DIR/Floortime™, a method proposed for treatment of young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Methods: Published materials describing the principles of DIR/Floortime™were evaluated. Published outcome research articles were assessed for the adequacy of their design and implementation and the extent to which their conclusions were supported. Results: The theoretical basis of DIR/Floortime™ appears to be generally plausible. Of the 10 outcome research articles in print, all concluding that DIR™ effectively treated ASD, five provided a comparison group, or used a randomized design, or did both. These studies failed to equalize the duration and frequency of DIR™ and the comparison treatment. Conclusions: DIR™ can be considered by social work practitioners as a possibility for evidence-based practice (EBP), but not as an evidence-based treatment (EBT). Further outcome research needs to concentrate not only on randomized design but on other design issues.
Descriptors: Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Intervention, Comparative Analysis, Randomized Controlled Trials, Program Effectiveness, Psychotherapy, Evidence Based Practice, Skill Development, Interpersonal Competence, Pragmatics, Child Development, Developmental Stages, Adjustment (to Environment), Individual Differences, Speech Therapy, Sensory Integration, Visual Perception, Literature Reviews
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Information Analyses
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
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Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A