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In order to improve services to all children in the
community, the foundation recognized the need to educate the entire community
about more sophisticated treatment approaches for children with autism spectrum
disorders. The DIR®/Floortime model (Developmental, Individual
Differences, Relationship-based) is a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach
that focuses on the often overlooked social and emotional development of the
child. Since it’s creation in 2005, the foundation has succeeded in bringing
several consultants to the area to host educational workshops.
After our first local DIR®/Floortime workshop,
the Floortime Discussion Group was created to help support those individuals
newer to the model. Two on-line forums were also created to support those
families unable to attend meetings due to work obligations and childcare issues.
Timeline
July 2005 – Creation of an on-line support
group for parents and professionals using a floortime approach with children
with autism and other disorders of relating and communicating.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/floortimers/
November 2005 - DIR Support Services in
Bethesda, Maryland, co-directed by Jake Greenspan and Tim Bleecker, presented a
one-day workshop to parents, teachers, therapists and administrators. The
following day, they provided individual consultations to thirteen local families
with children on the autism spectrum.
January 2006 – Creation of the Floortime
Discussion Group, an informal gathering of caregivers and professionals who
are incorporating the DIR®/Floortime model in their work with children.
The discussion group meets the second Thursday of every month from 7-9 pm.
March 2006 – Creation of an on-line forum for
members of WRAPS (Wilmington Regional Autism Parent Support Group) to
serve as a comprehensive resource for families dealing with the realities of
autism in the community.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/WRAPS_Group/
March 2006 – Developmental Pediatrician, Dr.
Richard Solomon, presented the P.L.A.Y. Project (Play and Language for
Autistic Youngsters), a practical application of the DIR model initially
developed in Michigan. The Open Doors Foundation helped defer the overall cost
of the event and also awarded individual scholarships to families and
professionals. Arrangements were also made for Dr. Solomon to give Pediatric
Grand Rounds during his stay.
September 2006 - The Open Doors Foundation
partnered with OT Solutions to sponsor a two-day workshop, DIR®/ Floortime
Approach, given by Rosemary White, OTR/L. Rosemary White is a senior faculty
member of the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders
and the DIR® Summer Institute. Individual family and school consultations
were also arranged.
July 2007 – Creation of the first OPEN
DOORS SUMMER CAMP.
November 2007 – Scholarships were awarded to
New Hanover County School special educators and early childhood interventionists
to attend the Interdisciplinary Counsel on Developmental and Learning
Disorders (ICDL) Annual Conference in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia.
May 2008 – Developmental Language Workshop
with Michele Ricamato, M.A. CCC-SLP, DIR®-certified, Facilitator of the DIR®
Summer Institute.
July 2008 – Second Annual OPEN DOORS SUMMER
CAMP. This summer the camp was expanded to serve 16 children from New
Hanover County.
June - July 2009 – Third Annual OPEN DOORS SUMMER
CAMP.
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