Examining the Effectiveness of the Early Start Denver Model in Community Programs
University of California, Davis
Summary
This study tests the effectiveness of the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) in community agencies that serve young autistic children. The feasibility, usability and acceptability of the model will be explored. Understanding effectiveness of new evidence-based models will increase the quality of autism care available to more diverse children and families in more geographic locations.
Description
The rising number of children identified as autistic has led to exponential growth in for-profit applied behavior analysis (ABA) agencies and their use of highly structured approaches that may not be developmentally appropriate for young children.1 This has led to growing public health concerns regarding limited effectiveness data combined with high cost of services. Newer research has led to development of evidence-based autism interventions (EBI) called naturalistic developmental behavior interventions (NDBIs),30 supported by multiple clinical trials.31-34 NDBIs integrate theory and strategi…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 1+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
The investigators will collect data from leaders, providers and clients in participating autism CBAs. The investigators will collect data from 20 Regional Managers, 100 supervisors, and 200 technicians working with autistic children. Participants will include 300 children ages 1-5 years with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder living in the US and being served by participating treatment team. Inclusion criteria for Autism CBAs include: Serve at least 10 children with autism under age 5 annually and have at least 2 regions that can be randomized. Accept Medicaid or equivalent payment (e.g.…
Interventions
- BehavioralEarly Start Denver Model (ESDM)
The Early Start Denver Model focuses on teaching inside children's play and care activities, carried out within a joint activity structure. Adults follow children's leads into activities, embed teaching objectives inside the play, use the play as the reward, and build targeted skills following developmental science and ABA principles.
- BehavioralEarly Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI)
Treatment as usual provided by community-based autism agencies
Location
- University of California, Davis MIND InstituteSacramento, California