Problem-solving during Problem-solving during Floortime SessionsFloortime Sessions

Looking at some of the common Looking at some of the common challenges parents and therapists challenges parents and therapists encounter while performing encounter while performing floortimefloortime

Types Of ProblemsTypes Of Problems

AvoidanceAvoidance Self-stimulatory behaviorsSelf-stimulatory behaviors TantrumsTantrums Aggression Aggression ScriptingScripting Illogical or tangential expressionIllogical or tangential expression

AvoidanceAvoidance

CausesCauses Stress from sensory or emotional Stress from sensory or emotional

inputsinputs- - Being overwhelmed by a sound, sight, smell, Being overwhelmed by a sound, sight, smell,

touch, or taste present in the environmenttouch, or taste present in the environment

- Experiencing a negative emotion, like - Experiencing a negative emotion, like frustration, from a challenge during an interaction.frustration, from a challenge during an interaction.

Seeking out sensory inputSeeking out sensory input- Seeking out sensory input in the form of - Seeking out sensory input in the form of

running, jumping, crashing, etc. running, jumping, crashing, etc.

AvoidanceAvoidance

SolutionsSolutions Raise affect to entice child more.Raise affect to entice child more. Modify environment to be more Modify environment to be more

calming for a sensitive child.calming for a sensitive child. Challenge less during an interaction.Challenge less during an interaction. Provide enjoyable sensory inputs Provide enjoyable sensory inputs

during the interaction.during the interaction. Be Be PLAYFULLYPLAYFULLY obstructive. obstructive.

Self-stimulatory Self-stimulatory behaviorbehavior

CausesCauses Seeking sensory inputs on their Seeking sensory inputs on their

own.own. Experiencing stress, emotional or Experiencing stress, emotional or

sensory, and trying to calm self.sensory, and trying to calm self. FatigueFatigue

Self-stimulatory Self-stimulatory behaviorbehavior

SolutionsSolutions Provide similar sensory inputs Provide similar sensory inputs

through an interaction.through an interaction. Take the stress or the child out of Take the stress or the child out of

the environment. the environment. (Be cautious and (Be cautious and avoid any environments that overly avoid any environments that overly stress)stress)

Keep children well rested and in a Keep children well rested and in a constant state of regulation. constant state of regulation.

TantrumsTantrums

CausesCauses Over-stimulating sensory Over-stimulating sensory

environment.environment. Over-challenging emotional Over-challenging emotional

environment.environment. Fatigue plus a sensory or Fatigue plus a sensory or

emotional trigger.emotional trigger.

TantrumsTantrums

SolutionsSolutions Be very soothing and calming, as Be very soothing and calming, as

you would with an infant.you would with an infant. Provide proprioceptive sensory Provide proprioceptive sensory

input in a slow rhythmic manner, input in a slow rhythmic manner, while being calm and soothing.while being calm and soothing.

Take the child into a calmer or Take the child into a calmer or more neutral environment.more neutral environment.

AggressionAggression

CausesCauses Overwhelming emotions paired Overwhelming emotions paired

with sensory seeking. with sensory seeking. (especially (especially proprioceptive inputs)proprioceptive inputs)

-Emotions can be stimulated by -Emotions can be stimulated by challenging too much, fatigue, and challenging too much, fatigue, and lack of comfort and support.lack of comfort and support.

Modeling impulsive or aggressive Modeling impulsive or aggressive behavior.behavior.

AggressionAggression

SolutionsSolutions Stay calm, but set firm limits.Stay calm, but set firm limits. Only physically restrain a child Only physically restrain a child

when they are harming when they are harming themselves or others.themselves or others.

Develop a calmer home Develop a calmer home environment with parents.environment with parents. ( (If If necessary parents seek professional help to necessary parents seek professional help to deal with their aggression)deal with their aggression)

ScriptingScripting

CausesCauses Being self-absorbed in own world Being self-absorbed in own world

due to stress in outside environment.due to stress in outside environment. Being more comfortable using Being more comfortable using

someone else's ideas to someone else's ideas to communicate.communicate.

Using memory instead of creativity Using memory instead of creativity to express self.to express self.

ScriptingScripting

SolutionsSolutions Calm the child down and help Calm the child down and help

refocus them on the outside world.refocus them on the outside world. Join the script and help become Join the script and help become

more flexible within the script.more flexible within the script. Take stressors or child out of the Take stressors or child out of the

environment.environment.

Illogical or tangential Illogical or tangential expressionexpression

CausesCauses Sequencing/attentional difficultiesSequencing/attentional difficulties Over-stimulation/ExcitementOver-stimulation/Excitement Over-stimulation/AnxietyOver-stimulation/Anxiety

Illogical or tangential Illogical or tangential expressionexpression

SolutionsSolutions Act confused.Act confused. Ask questions to help with logic Ask questions to help with logic

and sequencing.and sequencing. Calm and slow the child down, Calm and slow the child down,

and ask them how they are and ask them how they are feeling (nervous or excited).feeling (nervous or excited).

Problem-solving Problem-solving Related to Slow or No Related to Slow or No ProgressProgress

Looking at what to do when a Looking at what to do when a child is experiencing slow or no child is experiencing slow or no progress within the Functional progress within the Functional Emotional Developmental Emotional Developmental Milestones.Milestones.

Reasons for Slow or No Reasons for Slow or No ProgressProgress Their sensory processing systems are Their sensory processing systems are

severely compromised, contributing to severely compromised, contributing to a flatter learning curve. a flatter learning curve.

The Flootime program is not being The Flootime program is not being carried out to it’s fullest extent, or in carried out to it’s fullest extent, or in the correct manner. the correct manner.

There are negative stimulus present in There are negative stimulus present in the environment, health issues, or the environment, health issues, or overwhelming or stressful intervention overwhelming or stressful intervention programsprograms

Solutions to Slow or Solutions to Slow or No ProgressNo Progress We can work with specific processing We can work with specific processing

areas, like motor planning and sequencing areas, like motor planning and sequencing and auditory processing, to support the and auditory processing, to support the ability to process information.ability to process information.

We must work with the family on a We must work with the family on a consistent basis to make sure the home is consistent basis to make sure the home is a supportive environment.a supportive environment.

We can limit exposure to over-stimulating We can limit exposure to over-stimulating environments, monitor health, and environments, monitor health, and prioritize individual programs.prioritize individual programs.

The Floortime CenterThe Floortime Center

4827 Rugby Ave4827 Rugby Ave

Bethesda, MD 20814Bethesda, MD 20814

Phone (301) 657-1130Phone (301) 657-1130

Email Email info@dirss.com

Website www.dirss.comWebsite www.dirss.com