Defining DRBI

Developmental Relationship-Based Interventions (DRBIs) are a category  of established developmental, relationship-based approaches including DIR, DIRFloortime, PLAY Project, SCERTS Model,  PACT, Responsive Teaching, BISC, NRF, PDM, and others. These developmental approaches support autistic and other neurodivergent children through responsive relationships, child-led interaction, caregiver participation, and individualized developmental support. DRBI approaches encourage sensitive responses during playful interactions, following the child’s lead, and challenging the child to expand their ideas.  DRBI can involve parents, other caregivers, professionals, and paraprofessionals understanding and enjoying the child's intent and growing self-expression. The key is working together to support natural, playful interactions to enhance the individual's connection, intentionality, creativity, problem-solving, and initiative without using directive teaching. DRBI can be used during play as well as during daily activities. Through DRBI, children advance in their ability to share attention with others, join in two-way interactions, problem-solve with others toward a shared goal, use their imagination, and increase their ability to think logically and creatively. DRBI approaches are individualized for each child and family, and understanding each child’s unique profile of sensing, moving, communicating, and experiencing the world helps create an optimally supportive environment. Importantly, research has clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of developmental approaches.  

See: Cullinane, D. A., Binns, A. V., Feder, J. D., Graham, T., Mahoney, G. J., Naber, F. B. A., Robinson, R. G., Schertz, H. H., Solomon, R. M., Whitehouse, A. J. O., Wieder, S. (2024). Developmental relationship-based interventions for autistic children. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education. https://doi.org/10.1177/02711214241303695

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Sandbank, M., Bottema-Beutel, K., Crowley, S., Cassidy, M., Dunham, K., Feldman, J. I., Crank, J., Albarran, S. A., Raj, S., Mahbub, P., & Woynaroski, T. G. (2020). Project AIM: Autism intervention meta-analysis for studies of young children. Psychological Bulletin, 146(1), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000215