Our mission

To promote and integrate evidence-based, developmental, and relationship-centered approaches to human growth and learning, fostering joy, progress, and improved quality of life for individuals and families of all backgrounds. Through respectful and compassionate relationships, and comprehensive and interdisciplinary practices, we empower parents and caregivers, professional practitioners, communities, institutions, and systems to support the whole child and family while respecting and understanding unique differences and needs.

Our vision

To create a world where every individual and family, regardless of background or ability, thrives in a supportive and inclusive community. By championing innovation, collaboration, and respect for individual differences, we aspire to transform systems of care and education to prioritize holistic development, meaningful relationships, and lifelong well-being.
Profectum comes from the Latin for “advancement or progress.” Profectum Foundation is dedicated to advancing the development of all children, adolescents and adults with autism and other developmental and mental health challenges by using the Developmental, Individual Differences, Relationship-based (DIR®) model.

The DIR® model developed by Drs. Stanley Greenspan and Serena Wieder is an intervention providing a developmental framework for interdisciplinary assessment and intervention for autism and other developmental and mental health challenges. It is a comprehensive foundational model that utilizes affect-based interactions and experiences tailored to individual needs to promote development.

DIR revolutionized the concept of development as it was the first model to identify the functional emotional developmental capacities that provide the foundation for lifelong learning and relating. DIR training was the first to relate these developmental capacities to the biological/neurological individual differences in sensory processing each person brings to the world. It identified relationships as the pivotal force that nurture and optimize development. Further, it was the first to propose a relationship-based model of comprehensive intervention for autism spectrum and sensory processing disorders focusing on relating and communicating.

Our new brand

From the beginning, Profectum has been dedicated to the DIR Model and its developmental, individual differences, relationship-centered approach to human growth and learning — an approach that fosters joy, progress, and an improved quality of life for individuals and families of all backgrounds. Today, we’re excited to share something new with you: a refreshed brand identity that reflects who we are, what we believe, and where we’re going together.

This new brand celebrates a world in which you—and every individual—can thrive, regardless of background or ability, on a path that is uniquely your own.

Our team

Profectum was founded in 2011 by Cuong Do; Monica G. Osgood; Ricki Robinson, MD, MPH; and Serena Wieder, PhD, the Co-Creator of the DIR® model. Our faculty of over 60 professionals collectively has over 1000+ years of experience working with individuals with special needs. Our noted clinicians and educators are thought leaders in the fields of medicine, mental health, education, health practices, technology and the creative arts, working together to better understand the individual differences of children and adults with developmental challenges.