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My PLAY Project Flyer is Ready!!!!

Please email me with your address if you would like more information about the PLAY Project!!!

I moved to WordPress from another blog. Here are my previous entries.

The PLAY Project

I am so excited about becoming a P.L.A.Y. Project agency. This is a wonderful method of extending the DIR philosophy to many more families! The visits are done once a month. Each visit is about 3 hours long and I will train the family to provide intense therapy for the child. The P.L.A.Y. Project is designed to bring an intense program to children on the autism spectrum at a fraction of the cost of tradional ABA or Floortime. The PLAY Project can also augment an existing ABA or tradional school program.
I will be providing PLAY Project services beginning the end of April 2010. Please contact me to get on the wait list!!!
Betsy Furler, MS, CCC-SLP

Follow Their Intent

A portion of Floortime is usually considered to be “follow their lead”. This is often interpreted as doing what the child does and what the child wants to do. I believe you should follow or acknowledge their intent. The idea a child has cannot always be played out. The child cannot have or do everything he/she wants. BUT, we can acknowledge that we understand the intent and the idea. I think it is critical in nurturing a relationship to let the child know that you do understand what he/she wants and you realize that there are emotions surrounding the wants. When you acknowledge the intent, the behavior changes.
Betsy

Friday, May 1, 2009

Building My Business!

I am well on my way to building my new business! Before I had my own kids, I had a very successful private practice. I loved it. Loved being my own boss. Loved treating kids the way I wanted to treat them and working with families the way I wanted to work with them. In 2000, when Henry was 2, we moved to Houston for a job for my husband and I left my business behind. I missed it but needed to focus on Henry and his medical issues.
Nine years later, I am about to start up again! This time I am planning to get an office space and I am very excited about that. I made the decision about 2 weeks ago and I have a firm, well thought out plan in place and am looking into some insurance billing. I also should be able to take credit cards immediately.
I will continue providing therapy using the DIR/Floortime philosophy. I will continue my tutoring with my wonderful mentor, Michele Ricamato in Chicago and I am looking for a mental health tutor as well. I am so excited to have the opportunity to bring Floortime therapy to more children and families!
I also plan to provide oral motor and feeding therapy utilizing Floortime. The basis for the therapy with be the relationship. I have loved doing feeding therapy over the 17 years of my career as a Speech Pathologist and Floortime adds a new, deeper dimension to my work in feeding.
As I order new assessment tools and other pieces of equipment, I get more and more excited about this new chapter in my life!!!! I cannot wait to see what unfolds!
Betsy Furler, MS, CCC-SLP

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Building My Blog

As I build my blog, I am forced to think about what is important to me professionally. I have been a SLP for 17 years. Over these years, I have worked with many children and families and learned so much from all of them. The most valuable experiences have come from the interactions I have had from families. Early in my career, I worked in ECI and I learned the value of including the family in the treatment. I have never been able to get away from that model. When I shifted to Floortime/DIR almost 2 years ago, it was a perfect move. I love including the family – in fact, the more, the merrier. I love being able to get to know both the immediate family and the extended family. It takes a village to raise a child and that village HAS to know how to interact and successfully communicate with the child!
The other crucial piece is the relationship between the child and the therapist. Without a great relationship, therapy is very difficult if not impossible. When I get a new client, I have always started therapy by getting to know them. This also is a perfect fit with Floortime/DIR. The relationship carries the therapy. Engagement is key. If the child is not regulated (calm), engaged and attending, you will not get anywhere with therapy. You must have a relationship to maintain and build engagement.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Floortime

I am starting this blog as an outlet for my thoughts on my journey through Floortime. I have been a Speech Pathologist for 17 years and began learning and utilizing DIR/Floortime almost 2 years ago. It has revolutionized both my career and my life. I will never treat patients the same or relate to people the same again. Developed by Stanley Greenspan and Serena Wieder, DIR/Floortime is applicable in all settings and for all people and relationships. As I write this blog, I will share information I find and learn about Floortime.

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