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| Implementing the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) to Enhance Social Engagement and Play Skills for Young Autistic Children |
| Thursday, May 22, 2025 |
| 4:00 PM–7:00 PM |
| Marriott Marquis, M4 Level, Liberty L |
| Area: AUT; Domain: Service Delivery |
| CE Instructor: Jamie Hughes-Lika, Ph.D. |
| JAMIE HUGHES-LIKA (The NDBI Navigator) |
| Description: The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is a comprehensive, evidence-based intervention designed for young autistic children, emphasizing the development of social communication and engagement from an early age. The workshop begins with a review of ESDM's foundational theories and core principles, focusing on its developmental and relationship-based approaches to enhance social engagement. Participants will explore strategies to maximize child attention, increase social motivation, and support reciprocal engagement. Attendees will learn to arrange learning environments that optimize communication and engagement. They will also gain insights into selecting appropriate learning objectives aligned with developmental milestones and individual child profiles, recognizing their cascading effects and supporting behavioral cusps. The workshop proceeds with methods for creating interactive teaching frameworks that promote child-centered activities and embed teaching opportunities within natural interactions, encouraging focused and flexible approaches. Participants will learn how to actively engage young learners, building play-based programs that honor the autistic experience. By the end of this workshop, professionals will be equipped with an understanding of ESDM and practical tools to integrate its strategies, fostering a naturalistic, engaging, and effective early intervention approach to enhance developmental outcomes for young autistic children. Note: This workshop does not offer formal training or certification in ESDM. |
| Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will be able to:
1. Identify at least three key differences in social attention and motivation commonly observed in children with autism.
2. Implement at least four ESDM strategies to increase social engagement in young children with autism.
3. Embed at least two learner goals and objectives within interactive teaching frameworks to maximize learning opportunities for young autistic children. |
| Activities: This workshop will achieve its objectives through a blend of lecture, guided practice, video observation, and group discussion. Core content will be delivered through lecture, with video demonstrations illustrating ESDM strategies in action. To further support participant learning, additional materials and resources will be provided for identifying techniques to support participant learning. |
| Audience: Participants should have an understanding of ASD and support young children (ages 0-4 years) |
| Content Area: Practice |
| Instruction Level: Intermediate |
| Keyword(s): Early intervention, ESDM, NDBI, Play skills |
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