If you've been researching therapy for your child with developmental delays or disorders in Malaysia, you've likely come across major acronyms such as ABA. 

While ABA remains the more "popular" approach to supporting neurodivergent children, they come from very different "heart spaces“ compared to our Floortime approach. As more Malaysian families move towards neurodiversity affirming care, we see a significant shift from compliance, data driven rote practices toward relationship-centered approaches such as Floortime. 

But what exactly is the difference, and why is it changing the way we support children with developmental differences?

1) Behaviour vs Connection

The most significant difference lies in the starting point. 

• ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) traditionally focuses on behaviour modification. Using rewards and prompts, they help children learn skills and "functional" behaviours (like sitting at a table for a set duration, or making eye contact). 

• Floortime focuses on emotional connection. We believe that when a child feels safe, understood, and regulated within a relationship, the behaviours we want to see will follow naturally. We don't just want the "what", we want the "why". 

2) Adult-Led vs Child-Led

In typical ABA sessions, the therapist is often the person setting the agenda. In Floortime, we follow the child's lead. 

• If your child wants to spin the wheels of a bus toy for 20 minutes, we don't stop them to "do a task". We join them on the floor, enter their world, and turn that interest into a shared social activity. This builds intrinsic motivation - the child wants to engage and play with us because it feels good, not because they're getting an external reward. 

3) The View on Neurodiversity

More parents are asking "Do I want my child to look "normal", or do I want them to be happy and regulated?".

• ABA often aims to reduce and eliminate behaviours such as stimming, echolalia, and arranging items.

• Floortime views these behaviours as a way for the child to communicate their sensory or emotional needs. Our goals isn't to change who the child is, but to support their Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities (FEDCs). 

4) Why more Malaysian Parents are Choosing Floortime

Malaysian families are close-knit. The "Relationship" part of Floortime resonates deeply with our culture of family-centred care. Parents are not looking to run drills at home; they want to be parents who know how to play and connect with their child. Floortime empowers parents to be the emotional anchor for their child's progress.

5) Which is Right for Your Family?

There is no one size fits all. Some families find the structure of ABA helpful for specific skills such as safety. However, if you're looking for therapy that:

• Prioritizes emotional regulation and self-advocacy

• Respects your child's individual differences and preferences

• Takes place in your natural home or school environment

...then Floortime might be the solution your family has been looking for. 

Ready to discover the power of play and connection?

We believe that intervention should feel like connection, not a chore.

Click Here to book a free 15-minute call via Cal.com to see if Floortime is right for your child.