The Effectiveness Of Implementing The Early Start Denver Model For Young Children With ASD In China

The number of children diagnosed as ASD(Autistic Spectrum Disorder)is growing every year throughout the world.Following the rule of “the earlier identification,the earlier intervention,the better outcome”,it is crucially important to have a systematic,evidence-based,and effective intervention plan for the children with ASD under three-years old.Clinics and organizations providing interventions for the children with ASD are still emerging in China.Most of them only provide services for children aged from 3 years old to6 years old.This study is focus on checking the effectiveness of implementing the ESDM(Early Start Denver Model)method for infants and toddlers in China.This set of intervention model,which is based on highly empirical research,has a high standard therapist certification program,and is recognized by the international first-line therapists,is applied to the rehabilitation of children with ASD in China.In this paper,60 children,who were diagnosed or suspected as autism,were including56 males and 4 females,aged 16-30 months,with an average age of 26 months.Their families were mainly from Shenzhen,Shanghai and other economically developed areas.They were randomly divided into two groups,each group of 30 persons.Both groups were offered one on one instructions delivered by therapists using the ESDM in our clinic setting.Children in experimental group also received instructions delivered by their parents using the ESDM.(Parents received training at the same time.)After 12 weeks,our specialists evaluated each child in both groups by using the ESDM Curriculum Checklist.The results of the study show that the ESDM model centered on ‘natural environment teaching’,‘follow children’s lead,and ‘social-communication teaching’ is widely used in institutions/clinics and families to promote the comprehensive ability of children with ASD,especially in communication,social interaction,games,fine motors,gross motors,self-care and other aspects of the effect is remarkable.And also,after receiving system training,parents can also implement ESDM interventions with children at home to promote the improvement of ASD children’s ability in addition to imitation,cognitive ability,games,and gross activities.At the same time,through the analysis of data of the Autism Behavior Rating Scale(ABC Scale),the clinical symptoms of autism in children with ASD have also been significantly improved.It is further confirmed that the ESDM model from the United States is also effective and implementable for children with ASD in China.