We are pleased to announce the 2010 11th Annual DIR®  Institute

July 7 – 11, 2010

Bolger Center, Potomac, MD near Washington, D.C. 

An opportunity to change your life’s work
and that of the children and families you work with.

ICDL is pleased to announce the annual DIR® Summer Institute. The Institute features a nationally and internationally renowned multidisciplinary faculty, offering an intimate, intensive 5-day learning experience leading to the DIR® Certificate. We invite applications from individuals of all disciplines that work with children, adolescents and young adults with communication, relationship, emotional and developmental challenges. Participants typically include pediatric professionals, such as developmental pediatricians, optometrists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists; speech/language, occupational, physical, music, drama and art therapists; school psychologists, early intervention specialists, educators and special educators, school administrators and para-professionals.

Please join us at the Bolger Center near Washington, D.C. which offers beautiful country grounds and comfortable accommodations with ample space and time for an in-depth educational experience with colleagues from all over the world and the opportunity to make lasting connections with the remarkable DIR® faculty and candidates of every discipline. 

Requirements:  Eligible candidates must be licensed or credentialed in their fields and have already completed introductory training in the DIR® and Floortime™ model.  This includes attending the ICDL November Conference, or a comprehensive regional training by an ICDL Faculty member, or  Stanley Greenspan’s on-line training course  (www.stanleygreenspan.com).  Those registered in the Greenspan course can apply to the upcoming Institute before the online course has been completed.

Four programs are offered this year. 

1.  DIR® B Beginning Program-   A one summer program for those who have just begun to study and implement the DIR® model and Floortime™.

2. DIR® C Program (DIRC, DIRB to C, DIR C II & Institute III) for those who have completed the DIRB program or have advanced training and experience, intent on working towards the “DIR® Certificate” .  This program involves 2 summers, tutoring throughout the year and and the time to complete the final case write-up

3. DIR® A Program for DIR school administrators implementing DIR® based educational programs.  This can be attended in tandem with the DIR® Certificate program, if eligible. (Application coming soon)

4. Floortime Player Diploma Program for para-professionals, such as Instructional Aides working in DIR® settings under supervision. (The FTP application is NOT online and can be accessed by clicking here)

DIR®-Where Development, Individuality and Relationships count!

To begin the application process, review this introductory information and start your online application. You will receive an ID number via e-mail which will allow you to return to your application at any time to complete.  There is no fee for applying.  Tuition rates have not been raised and accommodations are offered at new low rates.  Please note early bird opportunities and deadlines. Don’t wait to apply – acceptance can be competitive and spaces are limited!

 Special discounts for groups of 3 or more applicants working in the same setting!

See details below

**Application Submission Deadline EXTENDED to MAY 17th!!! **

(*Applications received after this date will be considered on a space available basis only)

I. Which program to apply to? Click here to view a comparative table of all the programs 

II. What does the DIR® Institute offer? 

• Be immersed in a rich 5-day learning experience on DIR® theory and practice to develop the skills needed to provide DIR® services in your workplace for children with special needs and their families.
• Explore in depth what a truly (D)developmental, (I)individualized and (R)relationship-based approach to assessment and intervention can offer to a child and family.
• Enjoy in-depth small group training to learn and master the principles and practice of DIR® assessment and intervention and/or Floortime™.
• Interact with the DIR® faculty - nationally and internationally known DIR® experts across disciplines, as you discuss your work in small groups
• Present your work and learn from others in small interdisciplinary case discussion groups led by co-faculty each day
• Attend daily model case presentations, special subject panel programs and specific courses tailored to each program. 
• Hear special guest lectures by distinguished guest faculty and speakers
• Be introduced, or further, an understanding of a truly multidisciplinary approach to assessment and intervention with children with special needs and their families.
• Learn to use the new ICDL Diagnostic Manual for Infancy and Early Childhood (DMIC) – a groundbreaking multi-disciplinary diagnostic classification approach .
• Upon completion of Certificate program select candidates may be invited to the advanced DIR® Facilitator-Trainer Program: including DIR® Institute Facilitator, Faculty, DIR® Educator and Consultant.
• Enjoy the Bolger Center facilities and nearby malls and the Washington DC  tourist sites if you have time to stay a little longer
• Make new friends – network with multidisciplinary colleagues from across the country, the world, and your community
• Learn, reflect and enjoy..
  

III.  What do past participants have to say about their experiences?

“The ICDL DIR® Summer Institute has continually provided me with not only the opportunity to advance my personal skill set, but also to connect with like-minded professionals from an array of disciplines in a spirit of collaboration.  As far as training conferences go, none other has been nearly as inspiring - I always find myself equipped with more insight and a replenished spirit that takes me through the year, until the following summer.”  ~ L. DiLuzio, SLP, San Jose, CA

To read more testimonials click here

IV.  How do I apply? (And by when?)

After reviewing the various programs, start your online APPLICATION.  It is lengthy but once you start you can you will receive an identification number which allows you to re-enter the application on line to complete at any time.

Once accepted,  you will receive an acceptance notice and information on how to enter the DIR Institute Portal where you will find further guidelines to prepare for the Institute. Please note that your payment must be submitted online within 7 days of your acceptance in order to reserve your space at the institute.

You are welcome to write to us with any questions regarding which program is most appropriate for you or to be considered for advanced placement in the DIR® C program. It is best to do so after you have completed the application so that we have the information needed to respond to your inquiries (DIRInstitute@icdl.com). We are happy to review your experience in order to answer any further questions. There is no fee for applying or review. 

Please send your applications as soon as possible to be sure to have sufficient time to prepare and to reserve your room at the Bolger Center.  Spaces are limited.

V. Tuition Categories

• Tuition for the Institute has not been raised and the different categories can be reviewed below.  Payments are made on line by credit card and special arrangements can be made for institutions. You may also request two-installment payments with final payment by April 15, 2010.  Limited tuition assistance is available and will be considered upon written request sent to DIRInstitute@icdl.com . 

Small Group Discounts:  You may deduct an additional $50 for 3 or more applicants working in the same setting and applying simultaneously until May 17th application deadline.

• Payment must be received within 7 days of acceptance to reserve space and to obtain discounted rate

• Participants may cancel their enrollment in the DIR® Institute by May 3, 2010. A 25% administrative fee will be applied. After May 4, 2010, there will be no refunds for enrollment.

VI.  Bolger Center Accommodations

Complete meeting package rates include room, all meals and snacks throughout the day. Special requests can be honored and kosher meals can be arranged.  Rooms can be shared but deluxe rooms and suites are very limited so early application and registration is strongly advised. A deposit is required but will not be charged until participant checks out. 

Once accepted, you will be provided further information on how to register at the Bolger Center. Housing costs are not included in the Institute tuition. Please do not register before receiving your acceptance notice. Prices are as followed:

If you plan stay off campus you must register with the Bolger Center to obtain the day rate and send an e-mail to DIRInstitute@icdl.com and let us know about your housing accomadation.

TO APPLY CLICK HERE

VI. Frequently Asked Questions

We look forward to receiving your application and welcoming you at our summer Institute.

The DIR® Institute is a responsive to the educational needs of its candidates and services needed.  ICDL reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to alter, amend, expand or otherwise modify the requirements for the program, at any time, without notice. The determination as to a candidate's successful completion of the Program requirements will be solely that of ICDL and the DIR® Institute.

DIR® is a registered trademark protected under copyright law.

Floortime™ is a registered trademark of the ICDL