A Parent-Friendly Intro to the Wonders of ESDM Therapy
ESDM is an acronym that stands for the Early Start Denver Model and is developed by Dr Sally Rogers, a clinical psychologist and researcher at the University of California-Davis MIND Institute.
ESDM is effective for children with autism of all abilities, improving functioning in all areas of development, including social, communication, cognitive, and motor skills. For parents interested in ESDM therapy for their kids, continue reading to learn more:
The Origins of ESDM
ESDM is informed by research on neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to change and adapt in response to experience. This means that even though a child with autism may have difficulty processing certain types of information. However, with the right help and environment, their brain can learn to do so more effectively.
The Principles of ESDM
ESDM therapy is based on the principle of providing a safe and nurturing environment for children to explore and learn. The therapist works with the child to help them develop skills and strategies to cope with their challenges. ESDM therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
The Target Audience of ESDM
ESDM is an evidence-based intervention specifically designed for very young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from birth to five years. ESDM has also been successfully used with children with other developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and fragile X syndrome. ESDM is also known to be appropriate for children who are not yet verbal and those who are beginning to use words and phrases. ESDM can also be utilised in individual or group settings and can be adapted to meet the needs of each child.
The Advantages of ESDM
ESDM has many advantages for children with autism. The most notable benefits are in the areas of cognitive skills, social skills, flexible learning, and continual teaching.
- Cognitive Skills. In terms of cognitive skills, ESDM has been shown to improve a child’s ability to understand and use language. Furthermore, ESDM can help a child to develop problem-solving skills and to understand and use numbers and symbols.
- Social Skills. When it comes to social skills, ESDM has been found to improve a child’s ability to interact with others, communicate effectively, and understand and follow the rules. In addition, ESDM can help a child to develop empathy and understand the emotions of others.
- Flexible Learning. Flexible learning is another key advantage of ESDM. This approach to education allows children to learn at their own pace and to tailor the learning to their individual needs. This is particularly beneficial for children with autism, who may find traditional educational methods to be inflexible and difficult to follow.
- Continual Teaching. Finally, ESDM provides a continual teaching approach, which means that new skills are continually being introduced and practised. This is beneficial for children with autism, as it helps to prevent them from becoming bored or frustrated with their learning.
Conclusion
ESDM is an educational approach that can be used to improve the social, communication, and learning skills of children with autism. This approach to education is flexible and can be tailored to the individual needs of each child, making it a viable option for their development.
Looking to try out ESDM? Amazing Kids is an ESDM early intervention provider, delivering effective evidence-based, individualised services in Melbourne. Contact us today!