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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07758465

Effectiveness of DIR/Floortime™ in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

This randomized controlled trial evaluates the efficacy of Integrated DIR/Floortime™ in improving functional emotional development and adaptive behavior in children aged 4-12 years with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Participants are randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving DIR/Floortime™ in addition to their ongoing standard therapies or a control group receiving standard therapies alone. Functional emotional development is assessed using the Functional Emotional Assessment Scale (FEAS), while adaptive behavior is evaluated using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS). The study aims to determine whether integrating DIR/Floortime™ leads to greater improvements in emotional, social, communication, and adaptive functioning compared with standard interventions alone.

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Key information

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD Autism Spectrum Disorder Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Mental Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Age range

4 year–12 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

SEND Therapy Center

Gujranwala, Punjab Province, Pakistan

About this study

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that significantly affect emotional development, communication, and social interaction. Although conventional interventions target specific developmental domains, many children continue to experience challenges in functional emotional capacities and daily living skills.

Developmental, Individual-differences, Relationship-based (DIR)/Floortime™ is a relationship-based intervention that promotes emotional regulation, communication, social engagement, and higher-order thinking through child-led, developmentally appropriate interactions. This study investigates the effectiveness of integrating DIR/Floortime™ with standard therapeutic services.

This study uses a parallel-group randomized controlled design. Eligible children aged 4-12 years diagnosed with ASD are randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving DIR/Floortime™ plus standard therapies or a control group receiving standard therapies alone. Outcomes are measured before and after the intervention using the Functional Emotional Assessment Scale (FEAS) and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS). The findings are expected to contribute evidence regarding the effectiveness of DIR/Floortime™ in improving functional emotional development and adaptive behavior among children with ASD and IDD.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Children aged 4-12 years.
  • Clinical diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) according to DSM-5-TR criteria according to DSM-5-TR criteria.
  • Mild to moderate ASD severity.
  • Receiving routine therapeutic services.
  • Eligible to participate in the 10-week DIR/Floortime™ intervention.
  • Parent or legal guardian willing to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • Severe Autism Spectrum Disorder that would prevent participation in the intervention.
  • Severe visual, hearing, or physical impairments interfering with assessment or intervention.
  • Major neurological or genetic disorders that could affect study participation.
  • Serious medical or psychiatric conditions requiring intensive treatment.
  • Participation in another intervention study during the study period.
  • Parent or legal guardian unwilling to provide informed consent.

Treatment and study plan

DIR/Floortime

Behavioral

Participants received Integrated DIR/Floortime™ intervention for 10 weeks in addition to their ongoing standard therapies. The intervention focused on promoting functional emotional development, communication, social interaction, and adaptive functioning through child-led, relationship-based sessions conducted according to the DIR/Floortime™ model.

Standard Therapy

Behavioral

Participants continued to receive routine standard therapeutic services without the addition of DIR/Floortime™ during the 10-week study period.

Primary outcomes

  1. Socialization Skills

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 10

    Change in Socialization Skills measured using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition (VABS-3), Socialization domain Growth Scale Values (GSVs). GSVs range from 10 to 197, with higher scores indicating better adaptive functioning.

  2. Communication Skills

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 10

    Change in Communication Skills measured using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition (VABS-3), Communication domain Growth Scale Values (GSVs). GSVs range from 10 to 197, with higher scores indicating better adaptive functioning.

  3. Daily Living Skills

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 10

    Change in Daily Living Skills measured using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition (VABS-3), Daily Living Skills domain Growth Scale Values (GSVs). GSVs range from 10 to 197, with higher scores indicating better adaptive functioning.

  4. Functional Emotional Development

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 10

    Change in functional emotional development measured using the Functional Emotional Assessment Scale (FEAS). FEAS items are scored from 0 to 2, with higher scores indicating better functional emotional development. Symbolic, Sensory, and Examiner scores are assessed.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Fatima Tabassum

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Efficacy of Integrated DIR/Floortime™ for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Acronym: DIR-ASD

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Aug 11, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 13, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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