Earlyworks
Developmental Therapy Services, LLC
Dana Weine, M.S.
Child Development Therapist
Specializing in Social-Emotional Development
Certified DIRFloortime® Provider
Common Questions
"Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn to learn."
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-Fred Donaldson
What is Developmental Therapy?
Developmental therapy is a discipline that addresses a child’s global development, including social-emotional, cognitive, and motor skills, expressive and receptive language skills, and self-help/adaptive skills. Rather than concentrating on one particular area, Child Development Specialists have Master's Degrees and extensive knowledge of typical and atypical child development. They are trained to assess and identify how each developmental domain influences and affects one another. Once a child’s strengths and challenges in all areas are determined, play-based intervention strategies are introduced to support, improve, and integrate the child’s development and functioning.
What is DIR®?
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DIR®, the Developmental Individual-difference Relationship-based model, is a framework for parents, educators, and interventionists most commonly used with children who have social-emotional, mental health, developmental, and/or educational challenges. The model utilizes each child and family's strengths, individual differences, and priorities to develop a comprehensive intervention program. Rather than trying to decrease surface behaviors and increase compliance, DIR® focuses on why surface behaviors are present in order to support the child and promote positive development. Warm connections, communication, and loving relationships are emphasized and considered the foundation for helping children reach their fullest potential.
What is the DIRFloortime® Approach?
DIRFloortime® is a technique for parents, educators, and clinicians that is used to implement the DIR® model and help children master each of six functional emotional developmental levels that are paramount to DIR®. DIRFloortime® is largely based on following a child's lead, not just physically, but emotionally, in order to join their world while simultaneously challenging him/or her to master and move up through each of the six functional emotional developmental capacities.
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What age groups do you serve?
Earlyworks Developmental Therapy Services, LLC provides therapy for children birth through teens.
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How do I know if my child needs therapy?
If your child has Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD/ADD, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, or developmental delay and/or you have concerns about your child's development and/or problematic behavior at home and/or at school, contact Dana to determine if your child may benefit from developmental therapy.
Why is play so important for healthy development?
Children learn by interacting with their world which is done primarily through play. In addition to being fun, play is also functional, and necessary for healthy and positive growth and maturation. Playing supports healthy brain development by allowing children to pleasurably experience, practice, and learn how to communicate, interact, create, problem-solve, negotiate, empathize, express themselves, make connections, build bridges between ideas, and think abstractly. These skills are all essential to the development of self-
esteem, social relationships, and academic success. Preschool programs and early childhood activities should be play-based to promote healthy and optimal development.
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