Parent-Early Start Denver Model (P-ESDM)

Empowering Early Development:
Support Your Child's Development Through Play

Explore the benefits of P-ESDM to support your child’s early development.

We accept Aetna, Optum, UHC, and Cigna for California and Texas residents. Additionally, we accept Blue Cross Blue Shield for Texas and Tricare East for eligible residents.

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A Play-Based Approach Designed to Foster Your Child's Development

ESDM is rooted in the understanding that early childhood is a critical period for development and designed to support children across all developmental domains.

Our P-ESDM program encourages parents to follow their child’s lead and interests by engaging in positive social interactions through play. By cultivating an environment that makes learning enjoyable, it increases the child’s motivation to engage in social interactions and fosters attunement between a child and their caregiver.

This model emphasizes the use of naturalistic teaching strategies, within everyday routines and activities, such as play and daily routines. This approach helps children generalize their skills more effectively. It also places particular focus on developing joint attention, that is sharing attention with others. In turn, this improves a child’s communication, both receptively and expressively.

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Nurturing Early Development

Parent-Early Start Denver Model (P-ESDM) is an evidence-based intervention program designed to support the early development and social communication skills of young children, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

P-ESDM is intended to be a comprehensive treatment model, meaning that it targets all developmental domains, and is individualized to meet the specific needs of the child and family.

ESDM is a highly regarded naturalistic developmental and behavioral intervention (NDBI) that combines principles of behavior with developmental and relationship-based approaches. The Early Start Denver Model has gained recognition and popularity as an effective early intervention program for children with ASD.

Research studies have shown positive outcomes in areas such as communication, social skills, and cognitive development for children who receive ESDM-based interventions.

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For Parents of Young Children with Autism

This program is ideal for parents who are seeking parent education, parent coaching, and developing skills to enhance their child’s development. P-ESDM requires parents to be present, engaged, and motivated to foster their child’s growth.

ESDM is specifically geared toward children with ASD to improve developmental outcomes and social communication.

Collaborative Approach to Early Intervention

Overview of how P-ESDM works:

Parent Involvement: Parents actively participate in sessions, learning strategies to support their child's development at home.

Play and Daily Routines: Therapists use various play activities and daily routines to target specific developmental goals and foster social communication skills.

Individualized Support: Each child receives individualized goals tailored to their unique strengths and challenges.

Data Drive: Data collection and analysis is used to track the child’s progress systematically. This data helps guide intervention decisions and ensure that the child is making meaningful progress.

Ongoing Assessment: Progress is continually monitored, and interventions are adjusted as needed to support the child's development.

Discharge: This program is designed to be 12-24 weeks, depending on the parent’s time and preference. After completion of this program, the therapist will discharge the family and recommend continued 1:1 intervention.

What to Expect During the Program

Our P-ESDM program is a 12-24 week course, which requires ongoing parent involvement for parent coaching purposes.
Sessions are usually 50 minutes in length, but parents and therapists may have longer or shorter sessions, depending on clinical judgment and the needs of the family.
Our therapist will assess the child’s skills across multiple developmental domains, determine the child’s strengths, and establish individualized teaching objectives at the beginning of the program.
Subsequently, treatment goals will be developed in collaborating with the parent/caregiver, based on clinical observations and parents’ concerns.
Goals developed will be carried out during weekly treatment sessions. Treatment sessions will be conducted virtually.
Time in therapy may be spent providing parent education, discussing concerns, progress, goals, and specific strategies, or supporting direct interactions between the child and their parent.
In between sessions, parent’s will be encouraged to practice skills they have learned with their child.
Progress will be monitored throughout the 12-24 week program

Unlocking Developmental Potential

Improved social communication, joint attention, behavior, and play skills
Empowers parents to learn techniques and strategies as well as the confidence to support their child’s development
Increased parent-child bonding and engagement
The child acquires a variety of new skills their natural environment
The child receives repeated practice with their new skills, outside of the therapeutic context
Improved developmental outcomes and school readiness
Parents and children have the opportunity to receive therapy from the comfort of their home

Flexible Pricing Options

To sign up for P-ESDM with our certified therapist, please contact us at Burns Virtual Psychological Solutions (916) 234-6323 or email us directly at [email protected]

Fee: $140 for 60-minute sessions
Fee: $70 for 30-minute sessions

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Phone Number

Office: (916) 234-6323

Mailing Address

9110 N Loop 1604 W Suite 104 PMB 1023, San Antonio, TX 78249

Business Hours

Monday-Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm CST

Frequently Asked Questions

Is P-ESDM suitable for children with specific developmental needs or diagnoses?

ESDM is suitable for autistic young children, or those showing early signs of social communication challenges. Given that we use a parent coaching model, this program is ideal for parents who are seeking parent education, parent coaching, and developing skills to enhance their child’s development. P-ESDM requires parents to be present, engaged, and motivated to foster their child’s growth.

How does parental involvement work in P-ESDM sessions?

Parents play an active role in therapy sessions and must be present for the entire session. Parent coaching is offered to address frequently asked questions, support goals, address concerns and progress, and ultimately, give parents the tools they need to support their child. Parents will engage in play with their child, using specific tools and strategies, to support their child’s goals. Feedback will be given throughout play activites but slowly fade as parents become more confident employing specific P-ESDM strategies.

What are the expected outcomes of participating in P-ESDM?

There are several expected outcomes of the P-ESDM including, but not limited to improved social communication, bonding, joint attention, behavior, and play skills. This program empowers parents to learn techniques and strategies as well as the confidence to support their child’s development.

How long does a typical P-ESDM program last, and how often are sessions scheduled?

Our P-ESDM program is a 12-24 week course, which requires ongoing parent involvement for parent coaching purposes. Sessions are usually 50 minutes in length, but parents and therapists may have longer or shorter sessions, depending on clinical judgment and the needs of the family. Session may occur 1-2 times per week, depending on parent preference.