News: Early Start Denver Model May Help Raise I.Q.’s of Children with Autism

A recent study reported that children with autism who received intensive therapy with the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) may raise their I.Q. Forty-eight children, some as young as 18 months, were part of the study. Half of the children received ESDM and half received a community-based autism intervention. All the children improved their I.Q., however, the ESDM children also had larger improvements in listening and comprehension. ESDM was founded by Sally J. Rogers and Geraldine Dawson, who have recently published a new book, “Early Start Denver Model for Young Children with Autism: Promoting Language, Learning, and Engagement." When NY Times reporter, Tara Parker-Pope asked Dr. Rogers how ESDM was different from other therapies, Dr. Rogers explained, “First, the kids are really young. Another important fact is that the kind of intervention that is being used is different. This is a developmentally based intervention that really pays a lot of attention to the quality of relationships.”

Read original article: Raising I.Q. in Toddlers With Autism