What is DIR?
DIR stands for Developmental, Individual Difference, and Relationship Based Model. These three things are paramount to our approach and program.
Developmental:
The DIR Model focuses on the Developmental levels of each student. Many kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other learning disabilities have some developmental milestones and strengths while missing others. We need to build a strong foundation of development, filling in the holes of things they’ve missed along the way.
The Individual difference is why our program is a big part of the uniqueness of the DIR model. It is not a cookie-cutter approach but rather tailored to the child’s individual needs. DIR pulls in what each specific child needs to communicate, learn and become engaged in our world. There are no two children exactly alike and the way they learn needs to be as unique as they are.
Relationship-based:
Last, a Relationship-based model is imperative for children on the Autism Spectrum. Relationships are the key to nearly everything we do. It’s the motivation for our actions and needs to be worked on in order to interact with others.
DIR is an ideal way to help children learn.
It can include many different things that a child needs to learn at his/her best. It is a very ecclectic approach with a strong foundation in play and social skills. DIR uses affect to fuel learning. Affect is using facial expressions, emotions, interest and intonation (in other words – Drama) to help teach concepts. By working play and affect into our teaching, we can work on many things at the same time, such as: Communication, Social skills, Motor planning, Imagination, Emotions, Taking turns, Following directions, Motor skills, Flexibility, Theory of Mind and so on. By making learning fun and unique to that child’s interests, we capture their attention and show them how great learning can be while challenging them and helping them move up the developmental ladder to their potential.
Feel free to schedule a tour of CHA to see how the DIR Model works within a school classroom.
For more information about the DIR Model, see our Links page. There are many great websites and books about the DIR Model and it’s proven efficacy for ASD.