Topic: Early Intervention, Emotional Competency, Parenting, Relationships, Social Competency
Target Population: Parents, Early Childhood, Individuals with Disabilities, Infant/Toddlers
Sector: Community-Based
This program is for children who are 12 to 48 months old with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and their parents.
Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), a community- and family-based early intervention, is designed to enhance the social, emotional, cognitive, and language capabilities of young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Results from an internal randomized controlled trial (RCT) found that children in the ESDM intervention showed significant improvements in IQ, adaptive behavior, language, and autism diagnosis compared to a control group at 2 years. Results from an internal RCT that attempted to replicate these results found some improvements for language outcomes but no improvements for adaptive behavior, autism severity, or overall developmental quotient. Results from an external RCT demonstrated improvements in speech and communication, enhanced cognition and social interaction, and reduced stereotyped verbal behavior in the treatment group, compared to a control group, 6 months after program completion. A quasi-experimental external evaluation showed that participants in the ESDM group had significantly greater gains in developmental rate and receptive language, compared to a control group, after approximately 12 months of treatment. Results from a second quasi-experimental study that reported on school-age outcomes of children who received ESDM, compared to those who received community services, showed that both groups improved cognitive functioning and also experienced increased autism symptom severity with no differences between groups.
ESDM is a behavioral therapy that is delivered at home or in a day care/preschool setting during normal play and daily routine activities by trained therapists and parents. The curriculum uses a play-based approach to focus on the development of cognitive skills, social skills and relationships, and language skills. The key features of the program include the following:
ESDM actively guides parents and caregivers to participate in the program and offers coaching that intends to strengthen the models’ principles and strategies in the family’s daily routines at home.
Variations and adaptations of ESDM have been created, including a parent-coaching version (P-ESDM), a community-based group version (G-ESDM), and a preschool-based version (PB-ESDM).
Previous use information was not located; however, ESDM has been used in research in California.
This program is delivered by therapists, including psychologists, behavior specialists, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, early intervention specialists, or developmental pediatricians. There is no educational requirement beyond these professional degrees; however, these individuals must work regularly with children who are 12-60 months of age with ASD and be credentialed in their country to provide professional therapy or education as an independent professional. Training is not required; however, training and certification are available. Please visit www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/mindinstitute/research/esdm/workshops.html to learn more.
Considerations for implementing this program include recruiting facilitators who meet requirements; understanding that if facilitators are not certified, they can still deliver the program but must state that their intervention approach is influenced by ESDM practices and materials; ensuring facilitators deliver the program with fidelity; and acquiring parent buy-in.
The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
If you are interested in implementing ESDM, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
Implementation times can vary. ESDM may be delivered for as little as 1 hour per week and up to 15-25 hours per week.
Information on implementation costs was not located. Please use details in the Contact section to learn more.
To move ESDM to the Effective category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence at least one external RCT must be conducted that demonstrates positive outcomes lasting at least two years from the beginning of the program or least one year from program completion. This study must be conducted independently of the program developer.
The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu
You may also contact the UCDavis Mind Institute by mail 2825 50th Street, Sacramento CA 95817, email hs-esdmtraining@ucdavis.edu, or visit https://cpe.ucdavis.edu/subject-areas/early-start-denver-model
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