The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is a comprehensive behavioral early intervention program appropriate for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are as young as 12 months old.
A new study shows that it reduces the needs for ASD therapies and special education services through the school years when this early intervention program is applied.
ESDM vs conventional treatment
The investigation looked at the cost of early intervention, both ESDM and more typical intervention services, with and without other traditional autism-specific services including ABA, speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy.
After the clinical trial, children were sent back to their communities to seek services independently. During this post-intervention period, children in the ESDM group received less hours of service per month than other children.
Benefits seen in the short and long term
ESDM is the first early intervention therapy for toddlers with ASD to undergo clinical study of early intervention and demonstrate that it works. The outcomes include higher IQ, increased adaptive and social behaviors as well as promoting normal development of the brain.
“It is very promising to see that children who received two years of ESDM intervention required fewer hours of therapy and special education services through the remainder of their preschool years,” explained Geraldine Dawson, PD, Autism Speaks chief science officer. “Not only do the young children who receive ESDM benefit in the short term with respect to improved IQ and social skills, and brain functioning, we see that through their remaining preschool years these children require fewer special education supports.”
More expensive but worth it
ESDM is expensive. The program frontloads supports during two years in preschool. However, by the end of elementary school and upon entering high school, ESDM showed a positive return on investment.
“Based on the data we had available, the cost effectiveness of ESDM over a relatively short period of time is clear, even when only examining this narrow group of service,” said David S. Mandell, ScD, director of the Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research at the University of Pennsylvania. “Given what we know about service use as children with autism age, it is quite likely that the long-term cost savings will be even greater.”
Source: Austim Speak, MedicalNewsToday
