The Whole Child Connection

25/12/2025

As the year comes to a close, we want to thank our families and community for trusting us to support your children’s journeys. It has been a joy to share in their growth and connections this year.

Thank you for being part of our year, and we look forward to continuing our work together in the year ahead. ✨😊

The Whole Child Connection Team

22/12/2025

FYI! 😉

22/12/2025

📘 𝗗𝗜𝗥® 𝗗𝗘𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦
A term often heard within the DIRFloortime community and in the DIRFloortime Training Program is "Interoception".

In DIRFloortime, we are always working to attune to the individual we are working with. This includes trying to understand what they may be experiencing internally in any given moment.

Internal bodily sensations can be overwhelming for anyone, and they can be especially dysregulating for individuals who do not yet understand what they are feeling or the meaning behind it. This is why interoception is such an important individual difference for Floortimers to consider in their work.

In DIRFloortime, we work to help individuals make sense of the many messages their bodies are sending, helping build regulation and promote development.

10/12/2025

Regulation is Everything!

Thank you, Dr. Costa for this amazing acronym!

28/11/2025

📘 𝗗𝗜𝗥® 𝗗𝗘𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦
A term often heard within the DIRFloortime community and in the DIRFloortime Training Program is "attunement".

In DIRFloortime, attunement is crucial. You cannot truly enter someone's world without first being able to 'tune into' their emotional and sensory experiences. When we do, we create the safety and trust that becomes the fuel for development.

22/11/2025

"Evidence is showing that learning does not happen based on compliance. Learning happens through curiosity, connection, and co-regulation, which are the cornerstones of a developmental model and a DIRFloortime approach."

22/11/2025

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗, 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗜, 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥
Do you know what the D, the I, and the R, in DIR® stand for?

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗: 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀
The “D” provides a robust understanding of the human developmental process. Understanding this unique developmental process allows space for each person to be respected and guided in their own personal developmental journey.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜: 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀
The "I" describes the unique ways each person senses, regulates, responds to, and interacts with the world around them. Recognizing how each individual moves, feels, and engages is key to supporting meaningful development and learning.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥: 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀
The “R” describes how relationships fuel human development. Humans are social beings and relationships are a key to our development. DIR is able to harness the key affective (emotional) aspect of these relationships to support the integrated development of the brain and body.

22/11/2025

When we say we want autistic children to thrive, it’s not about changing their traits or making them look “less autistic.” Thriving means growing their capacities- to regulate, connect, communicate, and think - so they can move through the world as their true selves.

THIS! 🧡🧡🧡slp

22/11/2025

“Planned Ignoring” is a behaviourist strategy where adults deliberately withhold attention when a child shows behaviours they want to reduce. It comes from traditional behaviourism, which focuses on shaping behaviour through rewards and consequence - including the withdrawal of attention. While it was designed to discourage “undesirable” behaviours, it often overlooks the child’s underlying needs, emotional state and the importance of connection in development. Itakes away a child’s chance to feel seen and understood. When they’re struggling, children don’t need us to step back - they need us to stay close.

THIS!

"Planned Ignoring strips away a person's right to connection and understanding, reducing them to silence and rejection.. When what they truly need is compassion and support."

08/11/2025

Supporting children and teens to grow, connect, and thrive.

The Whole Child Connection provides DIRFloortime Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Allied Health Assistance, and Disability Support across Melbourne’s West.

NDIS-registered, mobile, and home-based services available for families who want personalised support.

💬 Message us today to see how we can support your child’s journey! https://thewholechildconnection.com.au/referral/

📘Facebook: The Whole Child Connection
📸Instagram: @‌thewholechildconnection
🌐Website: http://www.thewholechildconnection.com.au

📍Servicing families in Melbourne West

08/11/2025