The aim of ESDM is to provide an effective and appropriate intensive intervention for infants and toddlers with autism spectrum disorder. Here are a few specifics: (1) to meet the unique social-emotional needs of infants/toddlers and their families (2) to focus on the social-communicative symptoms of autism that occur in the first years of life (3) to use validated, effective …

The Early Start Denver Model, or ESDM, is an intensive, early intervention approach designed specifically for children with autism ages 1-3 years. While it is common belief that children cannot get a diagnosis of autism until they are about 3 years old, there are many early signs of autism that appear before the age of three. Pediatricians are able to …

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy is widely recognized as the most effective, evidence-based treatment for autism and is endorsed by the U.S. Surgeon General and American Academy of Pediatrics. ABA therapy focuses on basic skills such as looking, listening, requesting and imitating, as well as complex skills such as reading, conversing and understanding another person’s perspective. ABA also helps reduces behaviors …

ESDM employs some of the strategies that are derived from ABA therapy. However, the ESDM differs in a number of aspects from classic ABA strategies, such as “discrete trial teaching” in which teaching is directive and occurs in very structured settings. Instead, we follow the child’s lead and interests and engage the child in positive social interaction. This creates an …

Parent training is a necessary part of an effective ABA therapy program. The role of the parent in ABA therapy varies, but ideally, parents are involved with the assessment, creation of the treatment plan, observe and participate in sessions, and receive parent training from the team leader. Since children spend most of their time with their parents, it is important …

Finding out if your child has Autism is an important developmental step during your child’s 1 to 2-year checkup. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) typical displays as a child having difficulty in areas of behavioral and social development. As parents, it’s important being prepared and vigilant, finding out if your child is experiencing some delays in these areas can be tracked during …

The M-CHAT-R checklist for Autism in Toddlers is a battery of screening questions used to assess possible risks for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This screening tool is designed for children as young as 6 months all the way up to 6 years old. It can be completed as a part of a well-child care visit as well as online. After …

Basic sign language and certain signs have been very helpful for ABA students to communicate. Many of these signs are simple and can be picked up easily by working with an ABA therapist or speech therapist.  By incorporating these signs into life at home, during therapy, and all other environments, a student can gain more independence and communicate needs more …

The components of a successful program in ABA are based on the intervention used for each individual (treatment developed based on the child’s individual strengths and deficits in each area). It is also based on the design in which a certified BCBA has assessed and created the treatment plan. A successful program will address all aspects of the child’s disability. …

A great resource to use to help children with autism are Social Stories in story-based intervention sessions. Story-based interventions involves a written description of the situations under which specific behaviors are expected to occur. The stories seek to teach the ‘who, what, when, where and why’ of social interactions to improve perspective taking. The most well-known of these interventions is …