Developmental Programs

The Dakota Center offers several different methods to help children develop socially and emotionally. They include Floortime (DIR), Social Thinking, Social Stories, Relationship Development and Emotional Sharing.  Each of these interventions are provided during individual sessions, group sessions and offered by consultation during home programs. 

Floor Time

    Developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan, the floortime approach can be used to teach many valuable life skills, such as ... Self Regulation, Interest in the World, Two-Way Communication, Turn Taking and Emotional Understanding.  Use of the floortime model here at The Dakota Center helps the child engage with others; both socially and emotionally, maintain Shared Attention with others and learn problem solving skills.

Social Thinking    

"Superflex Curriculum" developed by Michelle Winner-Garcia, speech language pathologist has been proven to promote positive changes for children by not only teaching them social skills, but how to think socially and be flexible in their thought process, helping them to understand and interact in various social situations.  We utilize this curriculum as “the next step” to move away from a consequence/reward system and TEACHING toward an understanding of how to socially interact.  These skills WILL transfer outside of the session to the classroom and to home allowing children to think independently offering them the opportunity to make and maintain friends and participate in social events.  Parents and teachers of each child are kept actively involved and updated.

 Social Stories

Developed by Carol Gray, "social stories" are short and positive stories that describe and teach expected behavior specific to situations. These stories may also be used in teaching about classroom and family routines and changes in those routines.  Carol Gray's approach is used here at The Dakota Center as a way to teach social understanding from the perspective of the child. We help the child identify a social situation and use positive interactions to teach the child how to respond appropriately, what to expect and what is expected of them.  Children will learn skills to support interactions with family, the ability to make and sustain friendships and success during the social times of the school day. 

The Dakota Center's unique style of therapy sessions offer children the opportunity to learn socially appropriate behavior while building emotional bonds, relationships and self confidence.

Tracy and Don are each trained in specialized areas.  Please visit the additional pages on this website to learn more about our Functional Integration Program, Listening/Auditory Program, Group Program and our background.