EARLY START DENVER MODEL (ESDM)
The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is an evidence based early intervention model for young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is designed for toddlers and preschoolers but can be help children from 12 months to 6 years of age.
It is a "trans-discipline" therapy which means that multiple areas of development are targeted at one time using play-based activities, with a strong focus on building social-emotional development and communication.
In the Therapy Room
Your child is assessed using the ESDM curriculum checklist, which identifies emerging skills to focus on in therapy across all the developmental domains of their life
Therapy Attendance
From the assessment individualised objectives are created and therapy is provided 1:1 in clinic setting, ideally on a weekly basis.
ESDM Curriculum Checklist
Receptive Communication
Expressive Communication
Social Skills
Joint Attention
Cognition
Fine Motor
Gross Motor
Self-help/Personal Independence
Behaviour
Outside the Therapy Room
ESDM supports the development of children's functional and social skills which can then be used in everyday "real life situations". This is called "generalisation" when we see the child being able to demonstrate those learnt skills with other people and in different locations.
What is the evidence that the Early Start Denver Model works?
Over a dozen studies have demonstrated the benefits of ESDM as an early intervention for autism among children as young as 18 months. These studies included children across a wide range of learning abilities.
Many of these studies looked at ESDM delivered by trained therapists in one-on-one sessions with the child. One looked at ESDM delivered to groups of children in childcare. Others looked at the benefits of training parents to deliver ESDM therapy at home.
Benefits include improved learning and language abilities and adaptive behavior and reduced symptoms of autism. Research using brain scans suggests that ESDM improves brain activity associated with social and communication skills.
ESDM in ORANGE NSW: Julie Jackson has been providing Orange and surrounding towns with caring and expert ESDM services. Julie is a developmental educator with a Masters in Autism. Julie can be contacted through her website www.kidspectrum.com.au or by calling 0403 358 522.