Autism Therapy: Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)

definition of Early Start Denver Model (ESDM): Autism therapy that is largely based on the Denver Model and pivotal response training (a type of applied behavior analysis). The Early Start Denver Model has three main goals: 1) bringing the child into social relationships, 2) following the child’s lead when socially engaging the child, and 3) developing play activities to fill in any learning deficits that the child may have. ESDM therapy is family-focused.

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The Early Start Denver Model
Journal of Early Intervention, by Vismara, LA, and Rogers SA, published in 2008, summarized Jan 4, 2010

A twelve-week individualized parent-child education program may be able to help very young children who are at risk for autism.

To date, most studies of children with autism focus on preschoolers who are 3 to 5 years old. This case study describes a nine-month-old infant who was at risk for autism. He was entered into the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). The infant was later diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) and then recovered from his delays by the age of 24 months. The ESDM intervention focuses on teaching parents techniques to interact with their infants who are at risk for autism. The authors suggest that the ESDM parent-training intervention may be a good model for early intervention services for infants and toddlers with autism and their families.


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

Jan 5, 2010

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


Study Seems to Validate Importance of Early Intervention as Treatment for Autism

Nov 30, 2009

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) funded a recent study, led by Geraldine Dawson, chief science officer of the advocacy group Autism Speaks, that showed early intervention begun at 18 months of age and continuing for two years may help children with autism improve. The study included 48 children from the ages of 18 to 30 months. The children were randomly placed in groups that received either the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) or referred for less comprehensive intervention. The ESDM promotes family involvement in the therapy plan as well as individualized treatment and systematic instruction. ESDM focuses on communication and social interaction and includes "four hours of therapist-led treatment five days a week, plus at least five hours weekly from parents." While none of the children were considered "cured," the children in the ESDM group had increased IQ, increased language skills, and in some cases the original diagnosis was re-assessed to a less severe form of autism.

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    • Synonyms for Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) include: Early Start Denver Model, ESDM
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