Understanding the Difference Between ABA and ESDM: A Parent’s Guide Parents that contact our Sydney clinics often wonder about the differences between the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) when choosing autism therapy for their child. Here’s a simple comparison to help you understand the core similarities and differences. The Basics: ABC Learning Both ESDM and ABA use the ABC learning framework: Antecedent: The therapist prompts the child to do something. Behaviour: The child responds to the prompt. Consequence: The child gets a reward for doing the task. Rewards: Tangible vs. Social ABA: Uses tangible rewards…
