DIR 101+ — DIR Floortime training
A three-day, ICDL-recognised introduction to the DIR® model and the Floortime approach, extended with a practical Irish lens for clinicians and services. Delivered in person through the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI).
What is DIR® and Floortime?
The DIR® model — Developmental, Individual-differences, and Relationship-based — is a respected framework for understanding how children develop. Floortime is its practical application: meeting a child at their developmental level and following their lead to build warm, meaningful interactions that grow their capacities over time.
Rather than focusing narrowly on behaviours or isolated skills, DIR Floortime looks at the whole child — their emotional development, sensory and motor differences, and the relationships that help them thrive.
What makes this course different
DIR 101+ meets the core requirements of ICDL's DIR 101 introductory training while extending learning into practical application for Irish clinicians and services:
- Covers the recognised DIR 101 content required for ICDL introductory training
- Adds a practical Irish lens across HSE, school, charity and independent practice
- Focuses on using DIR in real assessment, formulation and intervention planning
- Explores how to write strengths-based, neuroaffirmative child profiles
- Integrates trauma-sensitive and regulation-focused thinking into clinical reasoning
- Emphasises relationship-based practice over compliance-driven models
What you'll learn
The DIR® framework
Developmental capacities, individual differences and the central role of relationships — and how they fit together in everyday practice.
Behavioural vs relational-developmental
Explore key differences between approaches in a thoughtful, practice-focused way.
Individual differences
How sensory, emotional, motor and regulatory differences shape participation and engagement.
Applied & case-based
Apply DIR thinking to case examples relevant to Irish clinical and educational settings.
Course outline
An introduction to developmental thinking, the DIR framework, and the evidence and principles behind the approach.
Bringing Floortime to life — following the child's lead, building interaction, and working with individual differences through video and practical examples.
Translating the model into your own practice, working with families and teams, and planning next steps in your DIR journey.
Who this course is for
Occupational therapists, speech & language therapists, psychologists, social workers, educators, early-intervention professionals and other practitioners who support children and families — especially those looking for a practical introduction to DIR Floortime that connects theory to real work in Irish services and private practice. No prior DIR® training is required.
Accreditation
This course is recognised by ICDL as DIR 101 introductory training — the entry point for further DIR Floortime training.
Course outline is indicative and may be refined ahead of each cohort. Exact dates, venue and fees are confirmed through AOTI ahead of each course.
Book through AOTI
The next DIR 101+ runs 10–12 March 2027, in person. This course is organised and booked through AOTI — when booking opens, fees and registration will appear on the AOTI events page.
View on AOTI eventsCan't make the March dates?
If these dates don't suit, you can register your interest and I'll let you know when future DIR 101+ courses are planned.
Register interest in future courses