At the heart of the ESDM is the empirical knowledge-base of infant-toddler learning and development and the effects of early autism. ESDM intervention is provided in the home by trained therapists and parents during natural play and daily routines. ESDM is a relationship-based intervention, and meets the parent and family involvement; An Early Start for your Child with Autism, is a parent's guide to using everyday activities to help kids connect, communicate, and learn. The aim of ESDM is to increase the rates of the development in all domains for children with autism as it simultaneously aims to decrease the symptoms of autism. In particular, this intervention focuses on boosting children’s social-emotional, cognitive, and language, as development in these domains is particularly affected by autism. ESDM also uses a data based approach and empirically supported teaching practices that have been found effective from research in applied behavior analysis. ESDM fuses behavioral, relationship-based, and a developmental, play-based approach into an integrated whole that is completely individualized and yet standardized.
WHAT IS AN INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP?
Learn about the theoretical and empirical framework, curriculum and teaching principles of the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), a developmental, behavioral and relationship-based intervention program for infants and toddlers with autism ages 12-48 months. Topics include:
* Administering and completing a developmental assessment of children's skill levels
* Developing individualized, developmentally appropriate teaching objectives
* Implementing the ESDM teaching practices and fidelity system to evaluate technique use
* Maintaining data management and addressing poor or limited child progress, when needed
WHAT IS AN ADVANCED WORKSHOP?
Professionals who have completed the Introductory Workshop will learn how to carry out ongoing therapy using the ESDM. Teams of 3-5 professionals will be grouped together to receive direct practice with children with autism and supervision with implementing an ESDM intervention program. Coaching and feedback will be provided on how to generate and embed a developmentally-appropriate teaching curriculum into naturalistic routines for young children with autism.
