Effectiveness of DIR/Floortime™ in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that significantlyaffect emotional development, communication, and social interaction. Althoughconventional interventions target specific developmental domains, many children continueto experience challenges in functional emotional capacities and daily living skills.Developmental, Individual‐differences, Relationship‐based (DIR)/Floortime™ is arelationship‐based intervention that promotes emotional regulation, communication, socialengagement, and higher‐order thinking through child‐led, developmentally appropriateinteractions. This study investigates the effectiveness of integrating DIR/Floortime™with standard therapeutic services.This study uses a parallel‐group randomized controlled design. Eligible children aged4‐12 years diagnosed with ASD are randomly assigned to either an intervention groupreceiving DIR/Floortime™ plus standard therapies or a control group receiving standardtherapies alone. Outcomes are measured before and after the intervention using theFunctional Emotional Assessment Scale (FEAS) and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales(VABS). The findings are expected to contribute evidence regarding the effectiveness ofDIR/Floortime™ in improving functional emotional development and adaptive behavior amongchildren with ASD and IDD.