title: Home-based DIR/Floortime intervention program for preschool children with autism spectrum disorders: preliminary findings.
abstract: Improving parent-child interaction and play are important outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Play is the primary occupation of children. In this pilot study conducted in Taiwan, we investigated the effects of the developmental, individual difference, and relationship-based (DIR)/Floortime home-based intervention program on social interaction and adaptive functioning of children with ASD. The participants were 11 children with ASD, ages from 45-69 months, and their mothers. Mothers were instructed the principles of the approach by an occupational therapist. All 11 children and their mothers completed the 10-week home-based intervention program, undergoing an average of 109.7 hr of intervention. Children made significant changes in mean scores for emotional functioning, communication, and daily living skills. Moreover, the mothers perceived positive changes in their parent-child interactions. The findings of this pilot study contribute to knowledge regarding the effects of home-based DIR/Floortime intervention program on increasing the social interaction and adaptive behaviors of children with ASD in Taiwan.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shu-Ting
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Yea-Shwu
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Yung-Jung
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Peichin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Shin-Jaw
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ling-Yi
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D010465:Perception; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010989:Play Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010988:Play and Playthings
keywords: Adaptive functioning; DIR/Floortime™; autism spectrum disorders (ASDs); emotional functioning; home program; home-based