Tired of being on a waiting list?
We know that your child needs to receive services as soon as possible. At Steps Forward, our goal is to get your child scheduled for evaluation so treatment can begin.
We provide free speech and language screenings at local daycares as well as in our office with an appointment*
Our excellent therapists provide occupational and speech therapy services to address sensory integration, autism spectrum disorders, articulation disorders, developmental delays, cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities, language disorders, apraxia, coordination disorders, balance, fine motor movement, and many other diagnoses.
We offer services in our new office in St. Petersburg. We offer in-home and in-facility treatments in Sarasota, Bradenton, and limited community-based services in St. Petersburg. We are proud to offer the DIR/Floortime model of treating children with developmental delays and autism spectrum disorders.
What is the DIR/Floortime model?
Floortime (or DIR) is a framework for coaching caregivers using the building blocks of typical emotional development. This approach is intended for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders as well as other developmental disorders. By using the child’s natural interests, we encourage the child to establish engagement, two-way meaningful communication, introduce or elaborate on creative thinking and pretend play, complete multiple circles of communication with the caregivers, and other emotional tools at higher developmental levels. All children have different strengths and areas of concern, just as all children will have different sensory needs. We identify those skills and needs so that we may act to see the best of each child’s functioning. Floortime practitioners believe that children are capable of learning to have warmth and engagement, as well as develop natural (not scripted or memorized) language skills for true interaction with caregivers and peers. By starting at the developmental functional emotional levels that may not be fully mastered, we are aiming for richer, more spontaneous, and warmer interactions with others. This model was developed by Stanley Greenspan, M.D., and Serena Wieder, Ph.D.
Lori Bartels-Tobin, Ph.D., CCC-SLP now offers intake evaluations to begin training parents and other caregivers in DIR/Floortime techniques. The initial evaluation will take approximately three 45 minutes sessions, with weekly follow-up appointments lasting 45 minutes. These appointments may be held in the office, in the home, or in another facility that cares for the child. It is important that the child spend as much time as possible interacting with others in this format. The techniques are easy to apply, functional, practical, and designed to decrease the stress on the child. Therapists at Steps Forward will provide this model of treatment during speech therapy or occupational therapy sessions to increase the child's exposure to positive, affective communication and interactions.
