Effects of Development Promotion based on DIR/Floortime Techniques in Autistic Children, Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital

Abstract

This quasi-experimental research aimed to examine the effects of development promotion based on DIR/Floortime Techniques. Samples consisted of 11 autistic children and their parents who were the clients of Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital. The research instruments composed of a handbook for development promotion based on DIR/Floortime Techniques, a record form for autistic children behaviors, an assessment form for results of treatment, an assessment form for basic development based on DIR/Floortime Techniques, and a descriptive assessment form for development based on DIR/Floortime Techniques. The implementation and data collection were conducted from October, 2013 to March, 2015. Statistics used for data analysis included frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and paired t-test.

Results revealed that at 6-month, 12-month, and 18-month after entering development promotion activities based on DIR/Floortime Techniques, 1) autistic children had statistically significant higher total mean score of 1st-6th development than before entering development promotion activities (t = 11.002, p < .001; t = 5.857, p < .001 and t = 10.508, p < .001, respectively); 2) autistic children had statistically significant higher mean score of result of treatment for speech, language, and communication than before entering development promotion activities (t = 4.218, p < .01; t = 6.528, p < .001 and t = 6.708, p < .001, respectively); 3) autistic children had statistically significant higher mean score of result of treatment for sociability than before entering development promotion activities (t = 6.708, p < .001; t = 8.409, p < .001 and t = 14.861, p < .001, respectively); and 4) autistic children had statistically significant higher mean score of result of treatment for sensori-motor perception than before entering development promotion activities (t = 5.787, p < .001; t = 7.904, p < .001 and t = 13.416, p < .001, respectively).

This study suggested that health care providers and parents should continuously apply DIR/Floortime Techniques for activating development among autistic children.