The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is a comprehensive, evidence-based intervention designed specifically for young autistic children, emphasizing the development of social communication and engagement from an early age. The webinar begins with a review of ESDM's foundational theories, essential elements, and core principles, focusing on its developmental and relationship-based approaches tailored to enhance social engagement. Participants will explore strategies to maximize child attention, increase social motivation, and support reciprocal engagement. Continuing, attendees will learn to arrange learning environments that optimize communication and engagement. They will also gain insights into selecting appropriate learning objectives aligned with developmental milestones and individual child profiles, recognizing their cascading effects and supporting behavioral cusps. The webinar proceeds with methods for creating interactive teaching frameworks that support child-centered activities and embed teaching opportunities within natural interactions, promoting focused and flexible approaches. Participants will learn how to actively engage young learners, building play-based, child-centered programs that honor the autistic experience. By the end of this webinar, professionals will be equipped with an understanding of ESDM and practical tools to integrate its strategies, fostering a naturalistic, engaging, and effective early intervention approach to enhance developmental outcomes for young autistic children. Note: This webinar does not offer formal training or certification in ESDM.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will review the foundations, essential elements, and teaching procedures of the Early Start Denver Model. 
2. Participants will identify methods to arrange learning environments that promote active communication and engagement.  
3. Participants will identify strategies to increase social attention and motivation to enhance social engagement 
4. Participants will understand key considerations for identifying and selecting learning objectives for young autistic children.
   
5. Participants will learn how to embed child goals and learning objectives to maximize learning opportunities

About the Presenter

Jamie Hughes Lika

Dr. Hughes-Lika is a doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D), a licensed behavior analyst (LBA), and an International Behavior Analyst (IBA) with over 28 years of experience providing evidence-based services to children with autism and related disorders. She is also a certified Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) Therapist and Trainer and offers ESDM Advanced Workshops and mentors and guides professionals through certification programs. Over the last ten years, she has focused on serving young autistic children (ages 0-4 years) using Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs). Dr. Hughes-Lika earned her Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Saint Ambrose University, her Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Ohio State University, where she studied under Professors Cooper, Heron, and Heward, and her PhD in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities from the University of Kent in England, studying under Dr. Mecca Chiesa. Her career has afforded her the opportunity to lecture at universities in both the U.S. and abroad, publish peer-reviewed articles, author books, and deliver training to parents and professionals around the globe. She is the Chief Product Officer for SAGE Learning Systems and the founder of the Autism Early Start Professional Development membership.