2023 International DIRFloortime® cONFERENCE

Conference Description

This 10-day-long live online conference is focused on all things DIR® and DIRFloortime®.  

Through lectures, case studies, research reviews, and discussions, participants will have many opportunities throughout the 10 days to deepen their understanding of DIRFloortime and how to effectively promote development, in particular for individuals on the autism spectrum or with other neurodevelopmental differences and/or disabilities.  ASHA CEUs will only be awarded for the sessions listed on this page,

Please CLICK HERE for Presenter Disclosures.

ASHA Track

This is a specific section for those seeking ASHA CEUs.  Everyone is welcome to attend these sessions, however, participants seeking ASHA CEUs must attend ALL four sessions below.  SLPs are encouraged to also attend sessions that are not in the SLP track (these additional sessions will not apply for ASHA credits and cannot be substituted for the sessions in the SLP track.). All times are in US Eastern Time (New York). 

Each presentation is offered twice, attending either session will suffice. Attendance is required for the full length of each presentation. Please note if you attend both sessions of the same presentation, you will only be awarded CEUs for one. This track is offered for 0.6 ASHA CEUs (Various levels, Professional area). No partial credit will be given.

ASHA Track LEarning Objectives 

1. Explore how toys can serve as valuable indicators of individual differences and Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities (FEDC) in children.

2. Identify 3 reasons why feeling safe around food is important for the treatment of pediatric feeding disorders and describe ways to support that from a trauma-informed and DIRFloortime ® lens.

3. List 3 ways to support developing praxis and/or language development.

4. Describe the roles of infant and caregiver in relational reciprocity.

5. Describe at least 3 benefits of a developmentally-based model of care across multiple settings.

6. Describe 3 elements of play and how they correlate to developmental learning

7. List at least 2 ways to support families and colleagues in a strengths-based paradigm shift to optimize relationships and enhance narratives.

8. Identify ways to adapt therapy goals and objectives based on the child's engagement with specific toys and play activities.

This track is offered for 0.6 ASHA CEUs (Various levels, Professional area).

ASHA Track PResentations and Agenda

Connecting Through Play in Feeding Therapy: The impact of building trust for pediatric feeding disorders

Speaker: Dr. Alex Klein, Psy.D. & Erin Forward, MSP, CCC-SLP, CLC, DIR-Proficient

Dates offered: 

Sunday, October 22, 2023 7:00 PM -8:30 PM US ET

Tuesday, October 24, 2023 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM US ET

Unlocking the Playful Path: Revealing the Hidden Power of Toys in Child Development

Speaker: Naomi Wong, BSpPath, AHPC, DIR-Expert & Diane Townsend, BOccTher, DIR-Advanced

Dates offered:

Monday, October 23, 2023 at 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM US ET

Thursday October 26, 2023 at 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM US ET

Strengths-Based Applications of DIRFloortime® in Everyday Practice Gravity

Speaker: Laura Westbrook, MS, OTR/L, DIR-Expert

Dates Offered: 

Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM US ET

Sunday, October 29, 2023 at  10:00 AM - 11:30 AM US ET

The Foundation of Language and Praxis: Where reciprocity begins

Speaker: Mary Beth Stark, MS, CCC-SLP, DIR-Expert & Julie Hogg, OTR/L, SIPT, DIR-Expert

Dates offered:

Thursday, October, 26, 2023 at 12:00 PM- 1:30 PM US ET

Sunday, October, 29, 2023 at 12:00 PM- 1:30 PM US ET