Dr. Stanley Greenspan creator of Floor time Therapy, as a source of intervention for autistic children, has died. Greenspan's expertise as an authority on child development was established in his book "First Feelings" in 1985. Initially his appeal was for the typically developing child, listing milestones and "firsts".
I was introduced to Dr. Greenspan in 1990, and following a comprehensive phone conversation, he invited me to bring our son Paul (who was basically non-verbal) for a visit. We packed up the car and made the long distance trek to Washington, DC. We spent two hours with this gentle yet enthusiastic man, whose thoughtful approach to autism would change the face of early intervention.
Our experience with Dr. Stanley Greenspan was unique, in that it defied everything we had been taught. His approach was a softer one, mirroring a child's actions, getting on the floor (floor time) and relating to the child on his or her terms. The Washington Post quoted Dr. Greenspan: Such "floor time," wrote Dr. Greenspan, teaches children how to confidently take initiative and "creates the whole basis for security, trust, and self-worth that a child will need from here on."
We struggled with the floor time method, and while we continued to see Stanley Greenspan, we also practiced behavioral therapy. Dr. Greenspan's congenial manner made it easy to talk with him. .He quietly cautioned me: "It's okay to use the m and m candy approach, but not as a total course of therapy". The most compelling message Stanley Greenspan gave to us was that we could always have hope as long as our son did not plateau, as long has he progressed, there would be hope.
I understood his words, he did not want to create an automaton, a child who spoke, but like a robot. However, our intent was to procure language, the "sculpting" would come later. We did lose tough with Dr. Greenspan and twenty years later, our son does speak, his cadence is slightly different than his peers. It was a gamble we were willing to take.
I often think of Dr.Greenspan and his kinder, gentler approach to autism. Whether or not it was a panacea, his zeal was authentic and fair. Perhaps the most telling legacy for Dr. Stanley Greenspan came through Paul, who at nearly 23 years of age, manages to keep up with news about autism. Last night, the phone rang at 10:30. It was Paul: " Mom....Dad....Stanley Greenspan died!"
Perhaps Dr Greenspan might sigh a bit of relief in the face of progress and a plateau far in the distance.
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