Soar Autism Center - Capitol Hill

The Early Start Denver Model, or ESDM, is a comprehensive therapy program for children with autism. ESDM is the leading, evidence-based therapy for young learners, aged 1 to 5.

The ESDM is a naturalistic, play-based and comprehensive approach to autism therapy that combines applied behavior analysis (ABA), developmental science, and relationship-based approaches.

It was developed by Sally Rogers and Geraldine Dawson and was named a Top Medical Breakthrough by Time Magazine in 2012.

The ESDM has been shown in high-quality research studies to improve language skills, cognition, social skills, adaptive skills, and behavior in children with autism.

Research studies on ESDM have also shown improvements in brain activity, such as changes on brain wave tests (EEG) when viewing faces and objects.

Early intervention with the ESDM can make a lifelong difference for children with autism yet the model is not widely available.

At this time we are primarily a facility-based therapy provider. This allows us to deliver the highest quality ESDM care in a setting that fosters relationships and enables collaboration across clinical disciplines.

We provide therapy for children aged ~18 months to ~6 years. We specialize in early childhood intervention using the Early Start Denver Model and believe that therapy should be age and developmentally-appropriate. The Early Start Denver Model was designed to meet the developmental needs and learning styles of young children.

A formal ASD diagnosis, or a medical diagnosis, helps you get the support your family needs, especially within the context of accessing medically necessary therapies and services.

• Insurance Coverage for Therapies: Medically necessary therapies for ASD are often covered by insurance including, but not limited to, speech therapy, ABA therapy, and occupational therapy. 
• Financial Support: A diagnosis is required when applying for social security or disability benefits. 
• Plan for Care: A diagnosis helps identify your child’s support needs. For example, your child might need to develop social communication and self-regulation skills.
• Future Research: The more data we gather through evaluations, the more we can improve services for autistic children and adults.

Check out Autism Diagnosis: The Complete Guide for Parents for more information.

1 in 36 children is diagnosed with autism according to the latest reports.

Here are some reasons why:

• Medical professionals understand autism better. More doctors are trained to test for autism and other developmental and language delays.  
• The definition of autism has evolved in recent years which means that an autism diagnosis covers more conditions to help more people get the services they need.

For more information check out Common autism diagnosis questions: Answers from Dr. Melanie Hsu

Yes, but there is room for improvement. We don’t have a single, perfect diagnostic tool for autism and there are a lot of factors that contribute to an accurate diagnosis. There are a few “gold standards” that are used for diagnosis.

The goal of speech therapy is to help your child communicate effectively with other people across all environments. This may take the form of using gestures, simple signs, verbal speech, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

Some other common things speech therapists can help with:

• Nonverbal skills, such as signs or gestures
• Forming speech in a clearer way
• Communicating thoughts and feelings clearly
• Understanding and responding to questions
• Discerning facial expressions and their corresponding emotions
• Noticing and understanding body language
• Feeding and swallowing
• Stuttering

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapy rooted in the science of learning and behavior. Using principles of ABA, children and adults can learn to improve their communication skills, social skills, and daily living skills while also addressing problematic or challenging behaviors. The primary goal of ABA therapy is to teach helpful skills that promote independence and reduce harmful behaviors. Here's our complete guide to everything you need to know about ABA therapy.