Early Start Denver Model at Sensory Kids & Social Minds
The Early Start Denver Model, often called ESDM, is a behavioral therapy for children with autism between 12 and 48 months of age. It blends developmental teaching with the methods of applied behavior analysis and uses play and shared engagement as the foundation for learning.
How ESDM Works
Parents and therapists use play to build positive, joyful relationships that help the child learn new communication, social, and cognitive skills. Core features include:
• A focus on typical toddler development and natural learning processes.
• Play based teaching within everyday routines such as snack, transitions, and shared activities.
• Emphasis on back and forth interaction, flexible thinking, imitation, early cognition, and joint attention.
• Parent involvement that includes modeling, coaching, and practice at home so that strategies are used consistently across environments.
• Flexibility to be delivered at home, in clinics, or in school settings, in either group or one on one formats.
Evidence for ESDM
ESDM has been shown to help children improve communication, social engagement, and cognitive abilities. It has been effective for children with a wide range of learning styles, including those with significant learning challenges. Research has consistently demonstrated that children receiving ESDM show gains in language, social interaction, and daily living skills when the model is delivered consistently and with strong collaboration between parents and therapists.