38: Early Intervention for Autism: The Early Start Denver Model

Welcome back to the Autism Family Resource Podcast!

Are you a parent of a child with autism struggling to find the right support and therapy for your child? You are not alone. Many parents find it challenging to navigate the world of autism care, especially with the numerous therapies and approaches available.  

But what if there was a different approach to autism care that focused on the whole family and was more collaborative and supportive? What if there was a therapy that was more play-based and encouraged intrinsic motivation?  

We have good news! There is. In this episode, we have another awesome guest on our show, Will Martin, from Soar Autism Center. Soar Autism Center is doing amazing work, taking a fresh approach to autism care that is centered on whole family support, early intervention, and collaborative care.   

Guest: 

Will Martin MEd, BCBA is a board-certified behavior analyst and Head of Care Model Design implementation at Soar Autism Center. Soar provides Early Start Denver Model-based therapy to children with autism in the Phoenix and Denver metro areas.

Website: https://soarautismcenter.com/

Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube

Key Takeaways:

• The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is a play-based intervention that encourages intrinsic motivation.  

• The goal of ESDM therapy is to find something the child likes and incorporate therapy into that activity.  

• DTT stands for Discrete Trial Training and is one of the original forms of ABA. It involves repeated practice of skills in an isolated or controlled context.  

• When looking for an ABA provider for your child, it is important to ask questions about the type of therapy and the approach used.  

• Red flags that may indicate your child would benefit from an autism assessment include: communication struggles, challenging behaviors, and difficulties engaging with your child in play.  

• Any interventions or therapies should match the child's values and the family's values.  

• Soar Autism Center typically serves children between two and five years old. Sometimes, they will serve children a little older than that if they are getting ready to transition to school.  

• Soar Autism Center takes all major insurance, including Medicaid and most commercial insurance plans.  

• Once an assessment is complete, the BCBA, speech-language pathologist, and occupational therapist will get together and make clinical recommendations.  

Soar Autism Center Resources: 

Website: https://soarautismcenter.com/

Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube

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