DIR Conference Headlines and Insights
As a newcomer in the profession, and current DIRFloortime 201 course participant, I was thrilled at the opportunity to meet my training leader in person and learn about all things Floortime for two days at the 27th Annual International DIR Conference hosted by the International Council on Development and Learning (ICDL)as well as the Rebecca School. From the moment we stepped off the plane in New York City, I knew it would be an amazing experience and one to be remembered for years to come.
The keynote speaker, Mickey Rowe, started things off Friday morning with his deeply personal story of growing up autistic. This was followed by the first breakout session with my training leader, Gretchen Kamke. Her session, exploring the power of play and its effects on regulation, was superb! It sounds simple but play has an impact on our regulatory capacity and play is brain building. However, analyzing play takes the joy out of it so as long as everyone is safe there is no wrong way. Another wonderful nugget I picked up during the session is that play can shift our state, making us more open, and available…and who wouldn't benefit from that?!?! Gretchen's presentation was chocked full of wonderful information and new ideas that I couldn't wait to bring back to Oasis to implement with our kiddos.
Day one was off to a great start. We took a quick walk to the Whole Foods market to grab a healthy bite to eat. Oh and did I mention the conference center was inside at the Masonic Temple? Well, it was and it was super cool. Eating lunch with some incredibly brilliant minds was awesome. Getting to pick their brains and surround myself with these floortimers was such a treat. Everyone was just so open and excited to be sharing their knowledge. It truly is an honor to be a part of this council.
I hurried to the 9th floor after lunch to listen to the next presenter on my list, Misha Merner, her session, Moving through development using body and movement to promote FEDC's 1 through 3, really helped me understand more ways to be connected or should I say reconnected with my body. One of the most essential elements of using the body within our Floortime® practice, is to be aware and in connection with it. Her passion and commitment to her craft was evident throughout the entire presentation. I learned some things to bring back and am looking forward to working with her as a mentor to help our kiddos. Another great session!
The closing plenary was just wowza. ICDL's new board president, Emile Gouws, MEd, PhD-C, spoke to us, along with ICDL's CEO Jeffrey Guenzel and Dana Brown. Emile is autistic himself and was nonverbal until the age of 15. He is from South Africa and brought his beautiful wife, who is autistic as well. Emile, Jeffrey, and Dana discussed what is happening in 2023 with practice developments, advancements, and innovations. My mind was blown away with Emile's brilliance, charm and witty sense of humor. Not to mention all the fabulous news regarding the future of Floortime and the paradigm shift…but that's a blog for another time. Day one wrapped up nicely at the conference. We headed back to the hotel for some rest and relaxation before the final day.
Saturday morning we awoke to a rainy day in New York City. We got our tea and coffee, then headed out for day two of the conference. My first session, The intersection of mindfulness and sensory processing: Fostering connection through sensory awareness with Deirdre Azzopardi, was very thought-provoking and filled with audience participation activities. We all had such an interactive discussion that we lost track of time and ended the session without finishing our slides.
Up next was a presentation of Understanding and engaging gestalt language processors. Although I was hoping to hear more about Floortime® and gestalt language development, It is a subject with little research; something we want to dive deeper into and possibly present ourselves in the future. In fact we already started working on this research and coursework using the meaningful speech gestalt language processing handbook by Kathryn Arnold and the ICDL Clinical Practice Guidelines.
Lunch break at the Whole Foods market followed. Just love being able to buzz about NYC and run into familiar faces in a place so far away from home!
Time for the second to last presentation, what comes first, DIR or curriculum in the classroom? With Jackie Bartell and Davina Solelyman. Holy guacamole! These two ladies put on the show and opened my eyes on how to shift this mindset that comes naturally; academics and compliance as the first focus. When you flip that to the relationship, trust, fun, and play first, the interest to learn comes organically. And that makes it meaningful! Another session I did not want to end but so happy to meet more floortimers to develop relationships with.
The last session, the closing plenary, was here. Dr Rick Solomon, MD, DIR-E, spoke to us regarding play science about autism and human development with five practical lessons. This one touched home and a few ways with my own son who has autism. It made me shed a tear, gave me hope, and left me wanting more. I think everyone should have a doctor like Rick in their childhood.
Bittersweet to say goodbye to all our new friends but I know we'll stay in touch to share ideas and resources. Plus, I'll see them all again next year at the 28th annual conference.
Tata for now!
Jess