The largest Floortime research and training organization in the United States, the Interdisciplinary Council on Development and Learning (ICDL), explains that Floortime techniques can be used anytime and anywhere.
It is widely understood that children on the spectrum require intensive intervention. Children rarely initiate interactions on their own unless they need something. By using Floortime knowledge and techniques, adults can encourage children to interact at any time and participate in a shared world.
Applicable settings include:
●the living room at home
●the bathroom
●in the bathtub
●in the community play area
●in the therapy room
●in elementary school
●in kindergarten or daycare
●at the playground
●in the supermarket
●in the car
Floortime can take place at any time of the day and with anyone, such as parents, other adults, peers, or siblings. The key is that the people involved enjoy it, feel engaged, want to continue participating, and gradually build relationships with others, leading to interaction.
Floortime aims to be a fun and positive form of communication, turning this positive experience into a tool to promote children’s social interaction. If the goal of “teaching interaction” becomes a source of significant pressure, causing both adults and children to feel emotionally distressed, it may be necessary to reconsider whether the approach has gone off track.