Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)
at CST Academy
Research-Based Intervention. Real-Life Growth. Lasting Impact.
At CST Academy, our Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) program brings evidence-based, play-driven ABA therapy to young children with autism spectrum disorder. Designed for toddlers and preschool-aged children, ESDM integrates ABA principles into fun, social interactions to foster language, cognitive, and social-emotional development—right when the brain is most ready to learn.
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What Is the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)?
ESDM is a comprehensive, relationship-focused intervention for children ages 12 to 48 months that uses play and everyday routines to build critical developmental skills. Rooted in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), the model blends developmental science with behavioral strategies in a natural, warm, and joyful way.
At CST Academy, our trained therapists use ESDM techniques to promote communication, social interaction, imitation, play skills, and emotional understanding in a setting that feels more like fun than therapy.
Why Choose CST Academy for ESDM?
CST Academy’s ESDM services are tailored to each child’s unique profile and delivered by a collaborative team of ABA therapists, BCBAs, and early childhood specialists. We emphasize family involvement, working closely with parents to extend therapy gains into home routines and daily life.
Because ESDM is most effective when started early, we prioritize quick evaluations and immediate openings to avoid delays in care.
The CST Academy Difference
Choosing the right early intervention approach can make all the difference in your child’s development. At CST Academy, our Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) program blends science-backed ABA strategies with playful, relationship-driven interactions that help young children learn naturally. With compassionate therapists, personalized goals, and a nurturing environment, we empower children to grow socially, emotionally, and communicatively—while helping families feel supported every step of the way.
Certified ESDM-Trained ABA Therapists
Our ABA team includes clinicians specially trained in the Early Start Denver Model, ensuring your child receives high-quality intervention that aligns with best practices in early autism care.
Parent-Centered Support
We coach and collaborate with parents to help them confidently carry over ESDM strategies at home and support meaningful skill development beyond therapy sessions.
Naturalistic, Child-Led Learning
Sessions are fun, interactive, and child-directed, allowing your child to learn new skills through play, exploration, and shared enjoyment with their therapist.
Integrated Care Options
Our therapists collaborate across disciplines—including speech, OT, PT, and feeding therapy—to support well-rounded developmental progress under one roof.
Helping Your Child Thrive with ESDM
Our ESDM sessions are structured to build skills across the most critical developmental domains. Here are just a few areas we focus on:
Social Engagement & Emotional Bonding
ESDM emphasizes creating warm, responsive interactions between children and adults to strengthen social and emotional connections. Our therapists focus on increasing shared attention, eye contact, and emotional reciprocity—skills that lay the foundation for friendships and social learning.
Communication & Language Development
We support the development of both verbal and nonverbal communication by following the child’s lead and embedding language learning into natural routines. From first words to more complex language, we help children build the skills to express themselves clearly and confidently.
Imitation & Learning Through Play
Imitation is a core part of early learning. ESDM uses fun, structured play to encourage children to copy actions, sounds, and words—helping them absorb new information and participate more actively in the world around them.
Joint Attention & Shared Experiences
Children learn best when they can share attention and experiences with others. We help children develop joint attention skills like pointing, showing, and shifting focus between objects and people—essential for communication and learning.
Adaptive Behavior & Daily Routines
ESDM includes teaching practical skills for daily life, such as following routines, transitioning between activities, and managing emotions. By embedding learning into everyday moments, we support independence and reduce challenging behaviors over time.
Cognitive & Problem-Solving Skills
Through interactive games and hands-on activities, we help children learn to recognize patterns, solve problems, and understand cause and effect. These foundational cognitive skills support growth across all areas of development.
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When to Consider the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)
Here are some common signs that ESDM may be a good fit for your child. This play-based, relationship-focused approach is ideal for toddlers and young children showing early signs of autism or developmental delays.
Limited Eye Contact and Social Interaction
If your child rarely makes eye contact, seems disconnected during interactions, or does not seek out social engagement, ESDM can help build stronger connections through joyful, responsive exchanges.
Delays in Communication or Imitation
Children who are not babbling, using gestures, or imitating sounds and movements may benefit from ESDM’s naturalistic teaching strategies that focus on imitation as a core building block for learning.
Minimal Interest in Shared Play
If your child prefers to play alone, struggles with back-and-forth play, or doesn’t engage in pretend play, ESDM encourages joint attention and shared enjoyment to help develop social engagement.
Difficulty with Flexibility or Transitions
Challenges adjusting to changes in routine, extreme distress when shifting between activities, or rigidity in play can signal a need for early intervention. ESDM gently supports adaptability through structured play and routines.
Delayed Cognitive Skills or Problem-Solving
Children who show limited curiosity or difficulty learning new cause-and-effect tasks may benefit from ESDM’s emphasis on cognitive development embedded in interactive, play-based learning.
Limited Emotional Expression or Awareness
If your child rarely smiles at others, struggles to show or understand emotions, or doesn’t respond to emotional cues, ESDM can help foster emotional reciprocity and connection through nurturing interaction.
A Place Where Your Child Can Grow with Joy
Choosing CST Academy for ESDM means choosing a nurturing, playful, and purposeful space where your child’s earliest developmental steps are met with enthusiasm and care. We believe that learning starts with connection, and every child deserves a therapy experience that builds on their strengths while embracing who they are.
The Early Start Denver Model allows us to meet your child at their developmental level and guide progress through joyful, engaging interactions. At CST Academy, therapy is not just a session—it’s a celebration of your child’s unique abilities, their capacity to connect, and the small moments that lead to big breakthroughs. We partner with families to create meaningful routines, foster shared happiness, and build the foundation for lifelong learning—one playful exchange at a time.
The Early Start Denver Model allows us to meet your child at their developmental level and guide progress through joyful, engaging interactions. At CST Academy, therapy is not just a session—it’s a celebration of your child’s unique abilities, their capacity to connect, and the small moments that lead to big breakthroughs. We partner with families to create meaningful routines, foster shared happiness, and build the foundation for lifelong learning—one playful exchange at a time.
Families Share Their Experience with ESDM at CST Academy
We were overwhelmed after receiving our son’s autism diagnosis at 20 months, but CST Academy introduced us to ESDM and completely changed our outlook. The play-based sessions felt natural, and we saw progress in just a few weeks. He’s now more social, makes eye contact, and is initiating interactions with his siblings.
– Maria T.
The Early Start Denver Model at CST Academy was exactly what our daughter needed. It felt like they truly met her where she was—on the floor, playing, smiling, and learning. She started saying words, responding to her name, and even began pretend play. We can’t thank this team enough.
– David L.
Our son went from being completely disengaged to participating in games, songs, and routines at home and in therapy. CST Academy’s ESDM approach has been such a gift. It’s not just therapy—it’s connection, joy, and progress all wrapped into one.
– Simone R.
Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) at CST Academy ABA Therapy
A Relationship-Based, Evidence-Driven Approach to Early Autism Care
CST Academy’s ABA Therapy program proudly integrates the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)—a research-backed, play-based intervention designed specifically for toddlers and preschoolers with autism. Rooted in positive relationships and everyday routines, ESDM blends the science of ABA with the warmth of developmental play to build foundational social, language, and cognitive skills. Our expert team uses ESDM to meet each child where they are, creating joyful, responsive learning experiences that lead to meaningful growth during the most critical years of development.
ABA Therapy
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Frequently Asked Questions
About Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)
The Early Start Denver Model is an evidence-based, comprehensive behavioral early intervention approach for children with autism between the ages of 12 and 48 months. It integrates principles of ABA with developmental and relationship-based strategies through play and everyday routines.