Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)

At Big Little Voices Speech Pathology, we proudly offer the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)—a world-leading, evidence-based therapy designed to support young children with autism. ESDM helps children build communication, social, cognitive, and play skills through fun, meaningful interactions.

The Early Start Denver Model is a naturalistic, play-based intervention for children aged 12 to 48 months. It blends behavioural teaching methods with developmental and relationship-based strategies, making learning engaging and effective.

We tailor each program to your child’s unique strengths and goals. Following a detailed assessment, we design sessions that focus on communication, social connection, play, and everyday life skills.

You’re an essential part of your child’s therapy journey. We involve parents through coaching and home strategies that build consistency between sessions and everyday routines.

ESDM supports a broad range of skills, including:

• Language and communication
• Social interaction and play
• Cognitive skills and problem-solving
• Daily living and adaptive behaviours

Studies show that children in ESDM therapy often make meaningful gains in language, IQ, social skills, and adaptive behaviours—leading to improved developmental outcomes over time.

Our ESDM sessions are fun, flexible, and developmentally appropriate.

• Play-Based Learning: Children learn through engaging, structured play tailored to their interests.
• Communication Growth: We support both verbal and non-verbal language using modelling, prompting, and positive reinforcement.
• Social Skill Building: Activities promote joint attention, turn-taking, and relationship-building with peers and adults.
• Strong Relationships: A trusting bond between therapist, child, and family is key to success—and we prioritise that connection every step of the way.

If your child has a diagnosis of autism—or you’re seeking an early, play-based intervention—ESDM may be an ideal fit. It’s designed to adapt to each child’s needs, and early intervention has been shown to improve long-term outcomes in learning and communication.