Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) - Autism Speaks

The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is a behavioral therapy for children with autism between the ages of 12-48 months. It is based on the methods of applied ... Skiptomaincontent AutismSpeaks MyAutismGuide Walk Donate Walk Donate AboutUs Events COVID-19 SetYourLocation WhatIsAutism? LearntheSigns SymptomsofAutism WhatCausesAutism? AspergerSyndrome AutismStatisticsandFacts LearnaboutScreening ScreeningQuestionnaire FirstConcerntoAction AutismDiagnosisCriteria:DSM-5 NewlyDiagnosed AssociatedConditions SensoryIssues Interventions AccessServices Insurance CaregiverSkillsTraining(CST) Help&Information InformationbyTopic Directory ResourceGuide AutismResponseTeam OurWork OurMission OurGrantmaking ResearchPrograms GetInvolved Fundraise Walk TeamUp KindnessCampaign SocialFundraising WaystoGive Memorial&Tributes Stocks WorkplaceGiving Shop Advocate CorporateSupport BecomeaSupporter WaystoEngage MeetourSupporters Queeselautismo? 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EarlyStartDenverModel(ESDM) WhatistheEarlyStartDenverModel? TheEarlyStartDenverModel(ESDM)isabehavioraltherapyforchildrenwithautismbetweentheagesof12-48months.Itisbasedonthemethodsofappliedbehavioranalysis(ABA). Parentsandtherapistsuseplaytobuildpositiveandfunrelationships.Throughplayandjointactivities,thechildisencouragedtoboostlanguage,socialandcognitiveskills. Basedonunderstandingofnormaltoddlerlearninganddevelopment Focusedonbuildingpositiverelationships Teachingoccursduringnaturalplayandeverydayactivities Usesplaytoencourageinteractionandcommunication ESDMtherapycanbeusedinmanysettings,includingathome,ataclinic,orinschool.Therapyisprovidedinbothgroupsettingsandone-on-one. Ithasbeenfoundtobeeffectiveforchildrenwithawiderangeoflearningstylesandabilities.ESDMcanhelpchildrenmakeprogressintheirsocialskills,languageskills,andcognitiveskills.Childrenwhohavesignificantlearningchallengescanbenefitjustasmuchasthosewithoutlearningchallenges. ParentinvolvementisakeypartoftheESDMprogram.Therapistsshouldexplainandmodelthestrategiestheyusesothatfamiliescanpracticethemathome.  WhoprovidesEarlyStartDenverModelservices?  AnESDMtherapistmaybeanyofthefollowing: Psychologist Behaviorspecialist(BCBA) Occupationaltherapist Speechandlanguagepathologist Earlyinterventionspecialist Developmentalpediatrician AlltherapistsmusthavespecifictrainingandcertificationinEDSM.Thisprocessrequiresthemto: Attendatrainingworkshop SubmitvideoshowingthemusingESDMtechniquesintherapysessions Demonstratetheycanusethesetechniquescorrectlyandreliably Thisensuresthatacertifiedprofessionalhastheknowledgeandskillstosuccessfullyusetheteachingstrategieswithchildrenwithautism. Detailsontrainingqualificationsandthecertificationprocesscanbefound here.YoucanalsovisittheEarlyStartDenverModelwebsitetolearnmore. WhatistheevidencethattheEarlyStartDenverModelworks?  OveradozenstudieshavedemonstratedthebenefitsofESDMasanearlyinterventionforautismamongchildrenasyoungas18months.Thesestudiesincludedchildrenacrossawiderangeoflearningabilities. ManyofthesestudieslookedatESDMdeliveredbytrainedtherapistsinone-on-onesessionswiththechild.OnelookedatESDMdeliveredtogroupsofchildreninchildcare.OtherslookedatthebenefitsoftrainingparentstodeliverESDMtherapyathome. Benefitsincludeimprovedlearningandlanguageabilitiesandadaptivebehaviorandreducedsymptomsofautism.ResearchusingbrainscanssuggeststhatESDMimprovesbrainactivityassociatedwithsocialandcommunicationskills.  IsEarlyStartDenverModelcoveredbyinsurance?  Sometimes.Manytypesofprivatehealthinsurancearerequiredtocoverservicesforautism.Thisdependsonwhatkindofinsuranceyouhave,andwhatstateyoulivein. AllMedicaidplansmustcovertreatmentsthatare medicallynecessary forchildrenundertheageof21.IfadoctorrecommendsESDMandsaysitismedicallynecessaryforyourchild,Medicaidmustcoverthecost. SomeyoungchildrenreceiveESDM throughtheirEarlyInterventionprogram.Earlyinterventionisofferedineachstatetochildrenunderage3whoarenotgrowinganddevelopingatthesamerateasothers. Theseservicesarefreeorlow-costbasedonyourfamilyincome.  Pleaseseeour insuranceresources formoreinformationaboutinsuranceandcoverageforautismservices.  Youcanalso contacttheAutismResponseTeam ifyouhavedifficultyobtainingcoverage,orneedadditionalhelp. WheredoIfindEarlyStartDenverModelservices?  VisittheAutismSpeaksDirectorytosearchforprovidersnearyou. ViewalistofcertifiedESDMtherapistsprovidedbyUCDavisMindInstitute. WhatquestionsshouldIask? ThefollowingquestionscanhelpyoulearnmoreaboutESDMbeforeyoubegin.Itcanalsohelpyoulearnwhetheraparticular therapistisagoodfitforyourfamily: Whowillbeworkingwithmychild? Whattrainingwillyouoffertoparents? Wheredoyouholdtherapysessions? Howdoyoudetermineprogramgoals? AreyoutrainedtoofferESDMtherapy? Canparentsparticipateintherapysessions? Willsessionsbeone-on-one,orheldinagroup? Howdoyouhandlechallengingbehavior? Howdoyoumeasureprogress? Whattypeofprogressshouldweexpect? Formoreinformation EarlyStartDenverModeltrainingmanualforparents: AnEarlyStartforYourChildwithAutism Thisbookprovidesusefultipsandhands-onstrategiesthatparentscanuseintheirdailyactivitiesandplay.Parentscanevenusethisinformationwhilewaitingforyourchildtobeenrolledintherapy.