Newly appointed Minister of Education, the Hon. N. H. Cole Simons, JP, MP met with staff of the Child Development Programme during their training session on the DIRFloortime© model.
All CDP staff, including staff from the Department of Health and the Department of Education who service children from birth to four years of age, were engaged in learning about the DIRFloortime method which is specifically designed for children with autism and other developmental needs. This method helps close the gap in addressing behaviour in children with special needs while enhancing their social skills. The approach is a relationship based model of intervention and supports and builds on the natural parent child relationship. It advances the brain development of the young child by focusing on processes rather than specific behaviors.
Minster Simons said: “This program provides positive support to the autistic child and children who have delayed development skills and their loving parents. It falls in line within my vision that our education delivery system supports all learning styles.
Minister Simons added: “The Child Development Programme is such a high quality programme with many resources to help each family give to and get the best from their child. Their message to parents is that CDP values your child and believes that every child can achieve their full potential. We will support you and your parent. You will not be left behind.”
CDP Coordinator, Sherri Bucci explained: “This new method is one more tool for us to use to maximize the growth and development of all children. The programme joins parents and professionals as a team to actually change the developing brain for a brighter future for the child from the start of their development. We know that the earlier the intervention the less costly it will be to educate children with ASD as they will require less one on one and small group intervention as they develop. DIRFloortime supports CDP's focus on a more collaborative model of service where the Behaviour Management specialist and the Portage specialist work closely together, along with other support services, to help the whole child learn and grow within a natural learning environment which includes the parents as much as the child. At CDP our plan is to incorporate DIRFloortime model into our ongoing practices of relationship based programmes, building on the child's natural interest and curiosity.”