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Sensory issues in autism are very challenging. They challenge the child, parents, teachers and therapists. The sensory responses interfere with a child’s ability to learn. The Early Start Denver Model, ESDM, uses specific techniques to address the sensory issues of children with autism. WHAT ARE SENSORY PROBLEMS? Young children with autism frequently have sensory issues. It is part of the diagnosis criteria for autism. We describe some children as ‘under responsive’. Theses children often appear passive and lethargic. Other children are  described as ‘over responsive’. They children are more active and restless. Some children can be a bit of both….

What is the ESDM? Professor Sally Rogers and her colleagues developed the ESDM at the M.I.N.D. Institute at the University of California, Davis, in Sacramento, USA. The ESDM is a set of specific strategies that Certified ESDM Therapists and parents/caregivers use to work with young children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It is used in a natural learning environment. The ESDM is based on scientific evidence about how young children develop and learn. In addition, it takes into account the way that ASD affects early development and learning. This also includes the best ways to teach young children. In fact,…

An Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) session always starts with a greeting.  The ‘hello song’ allows the ESDM therapist to: get the child’s attention regulate the child’s arousal levels (attention levels) establishes the joint attention The certified ESDM therapist and the child may continue to do floor based activities at the stage. The child may choose to take a toy to the tabletop instead. The ESDM therapist chose every toy before the session began. The ESDM therapist will target 5-6 goals in every activity. This happens when things are floor based or tabletop. The sessions moves between the floor and…

WHAT IS THE EARLY START DENVER MODEL (ESDM)? Early Start Denver Model or ESDM is a model of intervention for young children with autism. It targets the key features of autism that interfere with a child’s ability to learn, make friends and participate in the world around them. The ESDM is a comprehensive, developmental, behavioural early intervention program for young children with autism. What exactly does that mean? It is comprehensive because it addresses all areas of development. The ESDM program addresses communication and social skills, but it also targets gross and fine motor skills, and personal independence skills. We want every…