Early Support Services for Autism
Anna Castanedo MSc, Board Certified Behaviour Analyst & Early Start Denver Model Certified Therapist
INDIVIDUALISED FOR YOUR CHILD
“If a child can't learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.” ― Ignacio Estrada
In the world of early support, ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) and ESDM (Early Start Denver Model) stand out as powerful methodologies that prioritise individualised care for each child. These approaches excel in tailoring support to meet the specific needs, strengths, and developmental stages of each child. With a focus on data-driven decision-making, individualised goals, and flexibility in strategies, ABA and ESDM ensure a personalised roadmap for development. The active involvement of parents, empirical support for effectiveness, and the incorporation of a holistic developmental approach make these methodologies compelling choices for unlocking a child's unique potential. By embracing ABA and ESDM, parents are not just choosing support but pathways that celebrate and empower their child's distinct qualities, laying a personalised foundation for a promising future.
ABOUT ME
My name is Anna Castanedo. I am an advocate for children and a Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA), alongside being a devoted Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) Certified Therapist. My journey began with an MSc in Psychology from Kingston University in 2011, where the sparks of my commitment to comprehending autism initially kindled. I started working on home ABA programs and continued in this field. Furthering my professional development, I successfully completed the Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) course at Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) and attained Board Certification (registration no. 1-17-27273).
Supervised by Jamie Hughes Lika (Ph.D., BCBA-D; Summit Autism Services) and Emily Kerwin Sweeney (Ph.D., BCBA-D; Carbone's Clinic), and having worked with a truly inspiring BCBA-D Francesca Degli Espinosa I gained a valuable insights into the field. My ardency extends to my certification as an ESDM Therapist, serving as a testament to my profound commitment to the principles of that model.
With extensive experience spanning over 12 years teaching children of ages between 15 months and 16 years old, I decided to focus and specialise in the younger group of children. My professional journey has intricately woven through diverse educational settings, spanning from nurseries to mainstream primary schools, an ABA school, special needs secondary schools, and home environments.
In every facet of my practice, I meticulously uphold the highest standards, adhering to the Professional Ethical Compliance Code and Guidelines for Responsible Conduct meticulously delineated by Behaviour Analyst Certification Board (BACB, 2017).
APPLIED BEHAVIOURAL ANALYSIS
What is ABA?
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is a powerful and personalised approach designed to empower parents of children with autism. Rather than just a method, it's a guiding philosophy that dives deep into understanding your child's unique behaviours. ABA involves decoding the environmental influences on your child and using that knowledge to bring about transformative and positive changes.
Picture ABA as a roadmap that doesn't just identify challenges but uncovers the incredible potential within your child. It's about breaking down complex behaviours into manageable steps, creating a tailored plan that caters to your child's specific needs and strengths. It's about unleashing your child's capabilities and building a foundation for a promising future.
With a focus on data-driven decision-making, ABA becomes a tool that not only addresses challenges but also celebrates every small victory. It actively involves parents, providing you with the insights and strategies to navigate your child's unique journey. It's a holistic and empowering approach and a pathway to unlock, celebrate, and nurture the distinct qualities that make your child extraordinary. Embrace ABA as more than a method; consider it your partner in illuminating the extraordinary potential within your child.
What does ABA looks like?
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) therapy is a structured, goal-oriented approach designed to address a variety of behaviours in individuals. Here's what ABA program typically looks like:
Assessment: A thorough assessment is conducted to understand the individual's strengths, weaknesses, and specific challenges. This assessment guides the development of personalised intervention plans.
Goal Setting: Clear, measurable goals are established based on the assessment. These goals focus on improving specific gaps in the development, communication skills, social interactions, and overall adaptive functioning.
Data Collection: ABA relies on data-driven decision-making. Therapists collect and analyse data during sessions to track progress, identify patterns, and adjust interventions accordingly
Individualised Interventions: Tailored steps are implemented to address the targeted skills.
Family Involvement: ABA often involves collaboration with the family. Parents and caregivers are educated on ABA principles, strategies, and techniques to promote consistency and generalisation of skills.
Continuous Assessment and Adjustment: As the individual progresses, goals are adjusted based on ongoing assessment. ABA is flexible, allowing therapists to adapt strategies to meet the changing needs of the individual.
Transition Planning: As goals are achieved, ABA therapy may transition to focus on new objectives while maintaining progress.
Overall, ABA is a comprehensive and individualised approach that aims to improve communication, and equip individuals with the skills needed to lead more fulfilling and independent lives.
EARLY START DENVER MODEL
What is ESDM?
The Early Start Denver Model has gained recognition for its focus on early support, combining behavioral principles with developmental and relationship-based strategies to assist young children with or at risk for autism spectrum disorder.
At the heart of the ESDM is the empirical knowledge-base of infant-toddler learning and development and the effects of early autism. ESDM support is provided in the home by trained therapists and parents during natural play and daily routines.
ESDM is a relationship-based support and involves the parents and families. "An Early Start for your Child with Autism" is a parent's guide to using everyday activities to help kids connect, communicate, and learn.
The aim of ESDM is to increase the rates of development in all domains for children with ASD. In particular, this support focuses on boosting children’s social-emotional, cognitive, and language development, as these domains are particularly affected by autism.
ESDM also uses a data-based approach and empirically supported teaching practices that have been found effective from research in applied behaviour analysis. ESDM fuses behavioural, relationship-based, and a developmental, play-based approach into an integrated whole that is completely individualized and yet standardized (source: https://www.esdm.co/).
What ESDM looks like?
ESDM therapy looks like play. It’s fun! The session is set up in a way that the child just loves to stay in. In order to make sessions fun and engaging, the environment is organised with developmentally appropriate activities following the child’s motivation and interests. The therapist works throughout the session to ensure the child’s arousal levels are regulated, the child is paying attention and most importantly that the child is learning. The goal of the session is to provide a learning opportunity every 10 seconds.
The ESDM addresses the need for social learning by facilitating joint engagement and participation in social exchanges, so that the brain can receive the input that is needed during the critical period of infancy and toddlerhood.
INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENTS
ESDM
The Early Start Denver Model Curriculum Checklist for Young Children with Autism is used to comprehensively assess the skills of toddlers and preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder across multiple developmental domains and to establish individualised teaching objectives. It is an essential component of the intervention program described in the authoritative manual, Early Start Denver Model for Young Children with Autism (source: https://www.esdm.co/).
I use ESDM Curriculum checklist to benefit an individualised program for the child I work with. I use this tool as part of my assessment process and a guide for setting up objectives for children between 12 and 48 months old.
VB-MAPP
The Verbal Behaviour Milestones Assessment and Placement Program: The VB-MAPP is a criterion-referenced assessment tool, curriculum guide, and skill tracking system that is designed for children with autism, and other individuals who demonstrate language delays.
There are five components of the VB-MAPP, and collectively they provide a baseline level of performance, a direction for future goals, a system for tracking skill acquisition, a tool for outcome measures and other language research projects, and a framework for curriculum planning.
SERVICES
What's at the heart
SERVICES
Trained as a BCBA and ESDM Certified Therapist I have specialised knowledge in evidence-based practices for individuals with ASD. This expertise allows me to create individualised teaching plans tailored to the unique needs of each child. I carry out thorough assessments and evaluations to identify specific gaps in the child's development and skill deficits. as well as strengths of each child I work with.
Examples of services provided:
- carrying out assessments, designing and monitoring program
- providing training to parents, tutors/therapists and other professionals
- use of Pivotal Response Training (PRT), Natural Environment Training (NET) and Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT) in programs.
- objectives based on Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) and Verbal Behaviour aimed at increasing skills in all developmental domains (social skills, play skills, cognition, joint attention, language, motor skills, imitation, independent skills)
- providing training in teaching a variety of independent skills including toilet training
- strengthening functional communication behaviours
Parents training
Since parents are often the first to notice differences in their child's development I work with parents closely so that they can be equipped with the necessary skills to encourage social interaction, communication and language development of their child.
Most importantly, by working together, the likelihood of reaching milestones successfully increases significantly. High quality early support services include parents’ participation as a way to create sustainable learning opportunities and enhance development. At the end of the day, parents are their child’s first and forever teachers.
More information on the effectiveness of parents/carers’ involvement can be found here:
https://mrc.ukri.org/news/browse/parent-led-early-intervention-reduces-autism-symptoms/
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(16)31229-6/abstract
