COMPREHENSIVE PEDIATRIC THERAPY SERVICES UNDER ONE ROOF
DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPY
WHAT IS DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPY?
Developmental therapy is a discipline that helps children struggling with developmental delays or disorders, behavioral challenges, social interaction, and/or emotional difficulties through a whole-child approach. An essential part of developmental therapy is finding the underlying cause of behaviors to get to the root of the problem and allow for lasting changes in behavior patterns. Parent training and education are an integral part of the developmental therapy process. Developmental Therapy is individualized, developmentally appropriate, and rooted in play, neuroscience, nervous system regulation, and interpersonal neurobiology.
Developmental therapists have Master’s Degrees in child development and specialized training in play therapy, attachment disorders, human development, interpersonal relationships, neuroscience, nervous system regulation, and sensory processing. They also have in-depth knowledge and expertise in child development to identify subtleties in development that others may not pick up on. Developmental work as part of a collaborative team, often including other therapists and professionals such as speech, occupational, physical, behavioral, and teachers.
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Once a child’s strengths and challenges are identified, individualized intervention is introduced through a combination of play, DIRFloortime®, Synergetic Play Therapy, semi-structured activities, movement, socialization, etc., to support, improve, and integrate the child’s functioning and development in daily life. Parent training and education are an integral part of developmental therapy. We aim to ensure you and your child have the support and tools necessary to succeed at home, school, and daily activities.
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Boca Developmental Therapy Center offers consultative and ongoing therapy services, social skills groups, and environmental supports tailored to each child and family's concerns, needs, resources, and priorities.
WHAT IS DIRFLOORTIME®?
DIR® is the Developmental Individual-difference Relationship-based model developed by the late child psychiatrist Dr. Stanley Greenspan and clinical psychologist Dr. Serena Wieder. DIRFloortime® is an evidence-based developmental approach to intervention that focuses on both emotional and cognitive development together. By building an emotional foundation, research has proven that children with challenges in communicating and relating, emotional regulation, executive function, and managing behavior are able to drastically improve their ability to communicate meaningfully (including when under stress), socialize, attend and focus, control impulses, better manage emotions, and develop academic and higher thinking skills.
DIRFloortime® is a developmentally appropriate therapeutic approach for parents, educators, and clinicians to implement the DIR® model. DIRFloortime® combines the child's developmental level of functioning, sensory processing profile, and relationships to build an emotional foundation for learning and functional life success. Experiences are emotionally meaningful to the child in order to develop intrinsic motivation to learn, communicate, and relate.
WHAT IS SYNERGETIC PLAY THERAPY®?
Synergetic Play Therapy® is a research-informed model that combines the therapeutic power of play with nervous system regulation, interpersonal neurobiology, physics, attachment, and mindfulness. The authentic relationship between the child and the therapist is essential in helping the child develop healthier ways of coping, responding, and managing their thoughts, feelings, and emotions. SPT is a therapy model and a way of being in a relationship with self and others that can be applied to all areas of daily life.
FAQ'S ABOUT DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPY
SERVICES AVAILABLE
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Play-based therapy
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DIRFloortime®
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Synergetic Play Therapy®
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Social skills groups
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Global developmental assessments
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Evaluation of developmental skills
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Parent Coaching
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Team collaboration
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Facilitated peer and social groups
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Facilitated playdates
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School observations
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Teacher/classroom support
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Education for parents and caregivers
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Education for educators and other service providers
WHO DO YOU SERVE?
Children with any of the following: (no diagnosis required)
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Autism
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Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
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ADHD/ADD
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Developmental Delay
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​Behavior challenges or concerns
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Anxiety
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Self-regulation difficulties
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Emotional regulation difficulties
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Inattention
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Difficulty with transitions
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Immature play skills
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Prematurity
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Difficulty with social skills
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Unusually low or high activity level
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Difficulty making friends​
WHY PLAY?
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. Play 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 essential to developing 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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