Early Start Denver Model
Dr Leanne Gibbs sits down with Elizabeth Aylward to talk about the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), a highly acclaimed play-based intervention, specifically designed for young children with ASD focusing on routine and play. Elizabeth is one of only four ESDM certified trainers in Australia.
Here are some key messages from the Expert Insights talk for you!
The ESDM is an evidence-based model that was developed at the University of California Davis, Mind Institute, by Professors Sally Rogers and Geraldine Dawson. It is a naturalistic, behavioural, developmental model that can be applied across multiple settings including the traditional therapy clinic, the home and group settings - both specialist and mainstream.
The essence behind the ESDM is to bring a child with ASD back into the social loop at every opportunity. Therefore, no matter the activity, the focus is always to support the child with ASD to alternate their attention between the activity and the face, voice and actions of their play partner.
The social loop refers to when a child is socially engaged with others and is so important as it is in this context that a typically developing child does most of their learning. This learning occurs through the observation and imitation of others. However, for the child with ASD at about 6 months of age they gradually begin to fall out of the social loop. The culmination of these missed learning opportunities has a cascading effect on the child’s overall development.
In the ESDM, the first object is for you to become your child’s play partner. This is achieved by sitting alongside your child as they play, commenting on what they are doing with lots of affect and enthusiasm. It is most important during this stage not to place any demands on your child, not trying to teach anything, not trying to take a turn, not touching the materials. The goal is for your child to accept your presence. Next, you can become a helpful play partner. Placing desirable objects in a container that your child will require help to open, is an example of how you can support your child to recognise you as a helpful play partner. Once your child has accepted your involvement at this level you can become a more interactive play partner and work towards building a dyadic, balanced, coordinated play relationship with your child – all whilst you and your child are having fun!
Fun is so important in the ESDM as when a child is having fun they are learning at a faster rate and are more likely to remember what they have learned. Motivation is also optimised when a child is having fun - when your child is having fun, they are motivated to spend time with you.
The ESDM supports families to learn specialist skills in how to engage with, have fun with and play with their child with ASD. It positions therapy within everyday activities such as bath time and mealtimes, rather than something separate that needs to be added on to the daily routine. In this way the ESDM highlights the unlimited opportunities for therapy to be built into simple, everyday moments.
You can learn more about the Early Start Denver Model, including information about upcoming training courses for parents, carers and professionals, working with and caring for, children with ASD here.
Want to learn more about what is going on at Early Start? Find out here.
