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Early Start Autism Clinic

ESDM for professionals

What is the Early Start Denver Model?

These courses are designed for professionals including early childhood educators, teachers, therapy assistants, psychologists and speech, occupational and behaviour therapists who work with children with autism and other developmental disorders.

The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is a naturalistic intervention, which fits well with mainstream early childhood education centres as it is underpinned by play-based learning, developing secure and reciprocal relationships, promoting all forms of communication, and following child interests and choices. 

The courses and workshops are available locally and internationally and will be run by Certified ESDM trainer, Elizabeth Aylward and her team. One of only 4 certified trainers in Australia, Elizabeth has been teaching the ESDM since 2010.

What was the impact of training in the ESDM in your work with young children?

A participant in the ESDM Advanced Workshop (for professionals working with autistic children, and degree qualified in the areas of Education, Allied Health, Psychology and Medicine) explains the positive impacts of training in the ESDM in her work with young children.

I've always believed that ESDM, once I've got to know the model and however much I have known about the model, um its way of life, I feel I don't want to just call it a model, I feel like it's a way of life.

I've seen the impact that ESDM has had on the life lives of young children. And when I say that, that's because of the interactions that we had with a multi-disciplinary team during our training, which consisted of speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, parents, therapists in general and, and those, some, some with PhDs who wanted to just better their understanding. And, and if you actually look closely at at the checklist that was created, that checklist was also created by pioneers each in their fields.

And that's why I feel like the checklist itself of the ESDM model at the four levels that it is, and it covers such a comprehensive range of skills um, and for me to be able to go with the child to the playground and be able to apply ESDM with something as specific as teaching them to take turns with other children and or in bath time, meal time to the fact that that model could be applied in those naturalistic scenarios to help the child and to help families.

Um and one thing we sometimes overlook is, because our focus is so much on the on the on the child is, the effect and the impact sometimes the diagnosis can have on families. And to be able to watch the transition from the initial stage where they're so vulnerable and when they come to you for support and watch that child transition and along with the child watch the family transition into a much more happier state is what ESDM represents to me. 

Training and workshops

This is an advanced workshop for degree-qualified professionals (including speech therapists, occupational therapists, teachers, behaviour therapists, medical professionals and psychologists) who work with children with autism (and other developmental disorders) who would like to learn how to carry out ongoing therapy using the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). It is the standardised Therapist workshop developed by Sally Rogers and Geraldine Dawson (MIND Institute, UC Davis).

These workshops are delivered remotely (via live Zoom stream) to facilitate access for all interested professionals in Australia and abroad. The course is delivered as a series of 6 half-day workshops, each a week apart. This provides flexibility and time between each session for reflection and practice in each participant’s own workplace.

Participants will receive online supervision to assess a child with autism and develop and implement an intervention program, using the ESDM teaching principles. Coaching and feedback will be provided by a Certified ESDM Trainer across the 6 x half-day (3-hour) sessions to build skills and confidence.

It is important that professionals wishing to provide ESDM Therapy continue through a certification process, following the Advanced Workshop, to achieve fidelity in delivering this model of intervention. This is the only way to become a Certified ESDM Therapist. Follow-up supervision and mentoring are provided throughout this process, including fortnightly booster coaching sessions to help keep participants well-supported. This certification process is strongly encouraged to deliver the model at fidelity and its most authentic level. See below for further details.

Prerequisites: Completion of the 8-hour online introductory course Early Start Denver Model Introductory Workshop, is a compulsory prerequisite before participating in the ESDM Advanced Workshop.

For Teachers in NSW, Australia, who are Including Children with autism, please note that completing the Early Start Denver Model Advanced Workshop will contribute 18 hours of NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Accredited PD in the priority area of students/children with disability addressing standard descriptors 1.1.2, 1.6.2, 3.1.2, 4.1.2, 5.4.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.

Further information can be found on the NESA Professional Development website.
Alternatively, you can contact NESA’s Professional Development Team:

The 3-hour workshops are held 3.30pm- 6.30pm over 6 weeks. This timing may be flexible for teams if necessary.

Cost: $2,200 (includes GST) per participant.
Note: Program fees are under review and the new fee structure will be announced in 2024

To book or register your interest for the ESDM Advanced Workshop, fill out the online form, or contact the ESDM training coordinator to book on esdm-professionaldevelopment@uow.edu.au

ESDM Advanced Workshop Schedule 2024

Contact esdm-professionaldevelopment@uow.edu.au for 2024 ESDM Workshop dates

Please note, all courses are conducted online from Wollongong/Sydney, Australia.  Course times from April to September each year are based on Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), and courses held from October to March are based on Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT). Please double-check course times against your Country or City’s local time zone.

The ESDM certification mentoring and supervision process is a necessary additional step which follows the Advanced Workshop and takes professionals through a 6 to 12 month process of achieving a high level of fidelity in the delivery of the ESDM. You will be mentored, supported and supervised by your Certified ESDM Trainer over the entire period of your Certification. Fortnightly Group Certification Mentoring Sessions are delivered remotely, from 4pm – 6pm Sydney time to help keep you on track and expedite your journey to Certification. Achieving Certification is the only way of ensuring that this therapy model is delivered at fidelity, with integrity and as intended. The Fidelity Measure in this model is one of the critical reasons for its success and strong evidence base. Successful completion of the Certification course will see you become a Certified ESDM Therapist.  

Prerequisites: Completion of the Advanced ESDM workshop – Early Start for Therapists.

Cost: $2,050 plus GST per participant. Payment Plan available. This fee includes mentoring, supervision and the review of 5 submissions as well as monthly booster coaching sessions from your Certified ESDM Trainer.
Note: Program fees are under review and the new fee structure will be announced in 2024

To enquire, email us at esdm-professionaldevelopment@uow.edu.au

ESDM Certification Trainees: Booster Sessions are available weekly.  To check next booster session date, email esdm-professionaldevelopment@uow.edu.au

Please note, all course times are based on Australian Eastern Standard Time (ESDT) as courses are held in Wollongong/Sydney, Australia time (online).

This course is designed for educators and therapy assistants in mainstream Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services and teacher aides in schools who are supporting autistic children. Each small group session, delivered online via zoom, features helpful strategies to guide educators and therapists in ways of engaging, teaching and managing the behaviours of autistic children so that they can participate fully in mainstream ECEC programs and learn from their typically developing peers. 

Topics covered in ‘One for the Team’ sessions 

  • Session 1: Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder and its Impact on a Child’s Development
  • Session 2:  Becoming a Play Partner with an autistic child
  • Session 3: Using Evidence – Based Teaching Principles to Guide Your Practice
  • Session 4: Embedding the Teaching Principles within the Early Years Learning Framework
  • Session 5: Understanding and Responding to Unwanted Behaviours you may be experiencing with your child
  • Session 6: Activities, Materials, Transitions and Teamwork to make it all happen 

Cost: $825 (Includes GST)
6 weekly sessions: 4 pm – 6 pm
Note: Program fees are under review and the new fee structure will be announced in 2024

Course dates for 2024

Contact esdm-professionaldevelopment@uow.edu.au for 2024 ESDM Workshop dates

*Please note, all courses are conducted online from Wollongong/Sydney, Australia.  Course times from April to September each year are based on Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), and courses held from October to March are based on Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT). Please double-check course times against your Country or City’s local time zone.

For information and enquiries, please email us at esdm-professionaldevelopment@uow.edu.au

For those Teachers in NSW, Australia, who are including children with Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD) in mainstream settings, please note that completing the Early Start Denver Model for Educators and Therapy Assistants Working with Children with ASD: ‘One for the Team’ will contribute 12 hours of NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Accredited PD in the priority area of Students/children with Disability addressing standard descriptors 1.1.2, 1.6.2 and 4.1.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.

Further information can be found on the NESA Professional Development website.
Alternatively, you can contact NESA’s Professional Development Team:

This 3-hour workshop is designed for organisations/teams/professionals wishing to establish a high quality ESDM program as part of their practice, and is followed by regular mentoring sessions as determined by the client. 

For information and enquiries, please email us at esdm-professionaldevelopment@uow.edu.au

Early Start, at the University of Wollongong,  is now an approved Early Start Denver Model Training Site.

This approval has been granted by Sally Rogers and Geraldine Dawson of the MIND Institute University California Davis and Duke University.

As a training site, we have also received approval for Jasmine Holland, an experienced Certified ESDM Therapist and Early Childhood Teacher (MSc) to become our Apprentice ESDM Trainer. Jasmine will work closely with our Certified Trainer, Elizabeth Aylward, to provide additional ESDM Advanced Workshops and Certification Supervision under Early Start – University of Wollongong. This will increase our capacity to deliver training, certification, research and support into the future.

Woman playing with child in a preschool setting

Support and Inclusion

"The ESDM has had a dramatic impact on the way we are able to support and include children with Autism in our Community Based Preschool.

Educators feel empowered to support and redirect interfering behaviours using the skills and strategies learnt throughout the model and implement these in fun, caring and playful ways."

DANAE
Director Wongawilli Preschool

see MORE TESTIMONIALS

Frequently Asked Questions

Here you will find the answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Early Start Autism Clinic’s range of ESDM courses and support services for professionals who work with autistic children, and children with other developmental disorders.

If your questions are not answered from the below FAQs, please contact the ESDM Training Coordinator: ESDM-ParentsandCarers@uow.edu.au 

 

This is an advanced workshop for degree-qualified professionals in the areas of Education, Allied Health, Psychology and Medicine (including speech therapists, occupational therapists, teachers, behaviour therapists, medical professionals and psychologists) who work with autistic children, and children with other developmental disorders.

Yes.  It is a requirement that you will need to work regularly with 12-60 month old autistic children, or children with other developmental disorders. You will share videos each week embedding the workshop learning for that week. 

The only way to become a Certified ESDM Therapist is to continue through a certification process, following completion of the ESDM Advanced Workshop. This course is called Certification for Early Start Denver Model, and is also offered by the Early Start Autism Clinic. A further course is also available: ESDM for Professionals Wishing to Establish an ESDM Service: ‘Ahead of the Game’. 

Step 1: complete the Early Start Denver Model Introductory Workshop delivered via the Mind institute
Step 2: Complete the ESDM Advanced Workshop
Step 3: Complete the Certification for Early Start Denver Model
Steps 2 and 3 can both be done through the Early Start Autism Clinic at the University of Wollongong. Upon completion of certification, your name will be registered on the Central UC Davis website ESDM Therapists - UC website

Degree qualification is not required.  This course is designed for educators and therapy assistants in mainstream Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services and schools who are supporting autistic children and children with other developmental disorders.

Both the ESDM Advanced Workshop and Educator (‘ESDM for the Team’) workshops are delivered via 6 live Zoom sessions.

Courses are conducted online (Zoom) by certified trainers and therapists, who are all based in Wollongong and Sydney, Australia and all times are in accordance with the Australian Eastern Standard Time or Australian Easter Daylight Time, depending on the time of year.  Please check course times, and the time zone convertor to ensure timing of the workshops will be convenient for you.

For Teachers in NSW, Australia the following credits will be awarded:

  • ESDM Advanced Workshop will contribute 18 hours of NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)
  • ESDM Educator Workshop will contribute 12 hours of NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) 

See the NESA website for further information on NESA Professional Development or contact NESA’s Professional Development Team: Email: PD@nesa.nsw.edu.au
Phone: +61 2 9367 8291

Due to privacy, our workshops are not recorded