Early Start Denver Model for Young Children with Autism: Promoting Language, Learning, and Engagement

Rogers (psychiatry, U. of California) and Dawson (psychiatry, U. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) describe a treatment model for very young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). It includes both constructionist and transactional approaches that encourage the natural tendency of children to interact and engage with others. Topics include current understanding of infant learning and autism, using the Early Start Denver Model, developing short-term learning objectives, developing plans and frames for teaching, developing imitation and play, and developing verbal and non-verbal communication. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
From leading authorities, this state-of-the-art manual presents the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), the first comprehensive, empirically tested intervention specifically designed for toddlers and preschoolers with autism. Supported by the principles of developmental psychology and applied behavior analysis, ESDM’s intensive teaching interventions are delivered within play-based, relationship-focused routines. The manual provides structured, hands-on strategies for working with very young children in individual and group settings to promote development in such key domains as imitation; communication; social, cognitive, and motor skills; adaptive behavior; and play. Implementing individualized treatment plans for each child requires the use of an assessment tool, the ESDM Curriculum Checklist. A nonreproducible checklist is included in the manual for reference, along with instructions for use; 8½" x 11" checklists are sold separately in sets of 15 ready-to-use booklets.