At Nialume, we believe that the most profound learning happens through joyful connection. We invite you to discover the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), a gentle yet powerful approach designed to help your child connect, communicate, and blossom within the rhythm of daily life.
ESDM is more than just an early intervention program; it's a partnership between you, your child, and our dedicated therapists. Rooted in developmental science, this play-based therapy supports young children (typically 12 months to 6 years) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental considerations.
By building on your child's natural interests and motivations, we transform everyday activities into rich learning opportunities. It's a flexible, fun, and deeply respectful approach that creates lasting positive change, empowering your child to participate more fully in the world around them.
We see your child as a unique individual, full of potential. Our process is designed to honour their personality while nurturing their development.
Our journey begins with the ESDM Curriculum Checklist. This isn't a test, but a wonderful tool that helps us create a detailed map of your child's current skills—from communication and social interaction to play and self-care. It allows us to see their unique strengths and identify the areas where we can offer the most meaningful support.
Together with you, we use these insights to set meaningful, individualised goals. This collaborative plan becomes our roadmap, ensuring that every session is purposeful and tailored to what your child needs most.
As we work towards these goals through play, we carefully and lovingly track your child's progress. We celebrate every milestone and remain flexible, gently adjusting our approach to ensure your child is always supported, engaged, and successful.
ESDM therapy is designed to weave essential skills into the fabric of fun and interaction. This approach helps to:
By following your child's lead, we help them find their voice, make choices, and build the confidence to interact and share their world with others.
We seamlessly integrate goals for language, social awareness, and cognitive development into play, helping your child better navigate daily routines and activities.
Through one-on-one and small group activities, we help your child learn to relate to others, take turns, and enjoy the fun of shared experiences.
A core part of our mission is to equip you with strategies to enhance your connection and continue the therapeutic process naturally at home. You are your child's most important guide, and we are here to support you.
True holistic care means working together. At Nialume, our ESDM-certified therapists collaborate closely with a wider circle of professionals, including our in-house Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, and Speech Pathologists. This integrated team ensures that every aspect of your child's development is understood and nurtured in a seamless, supportive way.
Our ultimate goal is to create an effective, compassionate care plan that empowers not only your child to meet their developmental goals but your entire family to thrive.
Experience a partnership committed to making a beautiful difference in your child's life.
Absolutely. ESDM is a highly respected, evidence-based model built on decades of research. Its effectiveness in delivering significant and lasting results for young children with autism has been validated in numerous clinical trials across the globe.
Both are evidence-based therapies that provide valuable support. The main difference lies in the approach.
ESDM is child-led and relationship-focused. It uses the natural flow of play and everyday routines as the primary teaching tool. It's ideal for toddlers and preschoolers who thrive in a flexible, naturalistic learning environment.
ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) is often more therapist-led and structured. It breaks down skills into small, discrete steps and often uses positive reinforcement to reward specific behaviours. It can be effective for a wide age range and for children who benefit from a more structured approach.
At Nialume, we can help you understand which approach, or combination of approaches, might be the best fit for your child's unique personality and needs.
Every child's journey is unique. While many children respond very positively and quickly to the engaging nature of ESDM, progress for others may be more gradual. The most important thing is consistency and collaboration. If we find that progress isn't happening as expected, our commitment is to you. We will proactively review our strategy, explore adjustments, and work together to find the path that best supports your child's success.
Think of it as a comprehensive guide that helps us understand your child's development across key areas. It allows us to pinpoint specific skills to work on. The main domains it covers are:
Contact us today to learn more about how ESDM can support your child's development and strengthen your family's connection.
