S8 Early Start Denver Model (ESDM): An Early Intervention Approach for Young Children With Autism
Terry Hall, MA, CCC-SLP, Children’s Hospital Colorado Developmental Pediatrics/JFK Partners
Aug 29, 2024
10/04/2024 – 1:00-2:30 PM
According to the Center for Disease Control, 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum in the United States. As an early interventionist, what can we do to provide the services needed for this population? The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is a comprehensive early intervention treatment approach for children ages 12 – 60 months. It has evolved from the original Denver model at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, Colorado, to ESDM under the thoughtful eye of Dr. Sally Rogers and colleagues currently at the MIND institute at the University of California, Davis. ESDM is a naturalistic treatment approach with some ABA teaching components that focuses on building strong, positive relationships with caregivers to provide daily opportunities for language, social, play, and cognitive learning. It is important to note that ESDM is a child led approach in which the child’s motivation increases their enjoyment of play and learning. ESDM works to empower children with autism spectrum and their parents and families to become active participants in the world around them, and to expand their child’s constricted learning opportunities. Thus, parents play a key role in ESDM intervention. ESDM therapy is a comprehensive approach to treatment intervention and includes assessment, objective development, data collection and progress monitoring. It has been a recognized and respected treatment approach for children with autism spectrum and has evolved over time to reflect the dynamic learning needs of both parents and their children.
Learner Outcomes: At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Describe the history of the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM).
- Identify and describe how ESDM compares to other treatment approaches.
- Identify intervention components such as assessment, treatment objectives, data collection, treatment sessions
Instructional Level: Introductory | Track: Early Intervention