ESDM Online
Laurie A. Vismara, Ph.D., BCBA-D, is a therapist and researcher in early autism intervention. She has spent the last 20 years contributing to the science and program development of the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), named by Time magazine as one of the top 10 medical breakthroughs for early autism intervention. Over a dozen studies have found the ESDM to be effective and with gains maintained for infants and toddlers with or at risk of autism who have a wide range of learning styles and abilities.
Dr. Vismara uses telehealth platforms and travels throughout the United States, Canada, and other countries to help publicly funded intervention programs and families develop the ESDM in their communities. Her coauthored book, An Early Start for Your Child with Autism: Using Everyday Activities to Help Kids Connect, Communicate, and Learn, covers practical strategies and tips to help families use the ESDM at home. Her second book, Coaching Parents of Young Children with Autism, helps early intervention providers coach and empower families in the ESDM.
Check out Dr. Vismara's Vimeo to see ESDM video examples shown with parent permission that highlight:
(1) Language- Our system of using words and gestures to say what we mean and to understand what others say.
(2) Speech- The making of sounds that become words and the physical act of talking.
(3) Play- Engaging in actions and with people unlocks children's imagination and creativity to provide a rich foundation for learning. Children see how things work and learn how to do things. They listen to language and pick up new words and meaning. These moments develop a variety of children's skills including language, motor, social, cooperation, sharing, thinking, reasoning, and problem solving.
All children have the capacity to learn! Click here if you are a parent or here if you are a provider to schedule a free consultation and learn how to turn play and daily routines like breakfast or getting dressed into fun and rewarding experiences with the ESDM for young children's learning.