The heart behind
Wondering Ways
Every child has a way of experiencing the world that's worth understanding. At Wondering Ways, we follow the child's lead — not a curriculum, a protocol, or a fixed endpoint.
Hi, I'm Kaylen
I started Wondering Ways after years working in pediatric OT — clinics, schools, early intervention — and I kept noticing the same thing: the kids who made the most progress weren't necessarily the ones following the most structured protocol. They were the ones who had a therapist who'd really gotten to know them. DIR/Floortime gave me a framework for why that was, and how to be intentional about it.
DIR/Floortime means I'm not working from a fixed skill list. I'm paying attention to what captures your child's interest, what helps them feel regulated, what makes them want to engage. Skills develop through that — not in spite of it.
Outside of sessions, I spend a lot of time in continuing education — the ICDL community in particular has shaped how I think about this work. I also genuinely enjoy talking with families about child development, so don't hesitate to ask questions. I'll probably give you a longer answer than you expected.
- Master's in Occupational Therapy
- DIR/Floortime Certified Practitioner
- Trauma-Informed Approach
How I Came to DIR/Floortime
[Kaylen — share your personal story here. What drew you to DIR/Floortime? What was the moment or experience that shifted your perspective? How has it shaped the way you work with children and families today?]
Get Curious
Behavior is communication. When we stop asking "how do I get them to stop doing that" and start asking "what is this telling me," the whole picture changes.
Being neurodiversity-affirming means we're not trying to make your child fit a neurotypical mold. We're trying to understand their nervous system, support their development, and help your family feel less alone in navigating it.
Child-Led Play
Co-Regulation
Humor & Connection
Neurodiversity Affirming
Our Philosophy
DIR/Floortime isn't a technique we layer on — it's the lens through which we understand what a child needs and why.
Follow the Child's Lead
Sessions start with what the child is interested in, not what's on a goal sheet. Interest drives attention, and attention is where learning actually happens.
Relationship First
A child who doesn't feel safe with their therapist isn't going to learn much from them. Building that relationship isn't a warm-up to the real work — it is the real work.
Family as Partners
Parents hold the most context. What happens in sessions needs to make sense in your home, your morning routine, and your child's school — not just in our room.
What is DIR/Floortime?
DIR/Floortime is a framework developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan and Dr. Serena Wieder, with ongoing research and training through the ICDL. DIR stands for Developmental, Individual-differences, Relationship-based — the three dimensions that shape how we understand each child. Rather than targeting isolated skills, it works to build the functional emotional developmental capacities: staying engaged, communicating intentionally, solving problems with another person, and thinking symbolically. Sessions look like play because that's the medium through which these capacities develop.
Evidence-Based Practice
DIR/Floortime has a documented research base, with studies showing gains in social communication, adaptive behavior, and family interaction patterns. The ICDL maintains a research library at icdl.com if you want to read the underlying studies.
Social Emotional at the Core
Motor skills, attention, and academic readiness all depend on a regulated nervous system and a sense of safety in relationship. That's not a philosophical stance — it's what the developmental science consistently shows.
Want to talk through whether this is the right fit?
Book a free 20-minute call. We'll ask about your child, answer your questions, and be straightforward about what we think would help.