Ascend provides services such as therapy/counseling, ABA therapy (Early Start Denver Model and behavior support services), and IEP help and advocacy for people with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families. We are based in Sacramento, CA and provide services in Sacramento, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Elk Grove, Rocklin, and offer telehealth when appropriate.
ABA Therapy: The Early Start Denver Model
The Early Start DEnver model for young children with Autism (ABA Therapy)
Ascend provides early intervention, often called ABA therapy, using the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). ESDM is a program based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and was developed for young children (usually between 12 and 60 months) with autism or other developmental disabilities. What makes ESDM perfect for young children is that it is play-based and occurs in the child’s natural environment.
The therapists at Ascend are certified in behavioral therapy and in the ESDM. Before the start of the ESDM intervention, we will work with you and your child to develop a list of goals and objectives using the ESDM Curriculum Checklist. We will use this play-based assessment along with a parent questionnaire to identify your child’s strengths and preferences as well as areas that need additional support. Following this assessment, we’ll begin regular ESDM sessions, where we will use a variety of strategies to teach these objectives during play and daily routines. The goals of this therapy are to support your child’s language and cognitive development, reduce behavior problems, and increase your child’s skill across a variety of developmental domains. Please see our blog post on FAQs about Early Start Denver Model.
What does ESDM at Ascend look like?
At Ascend we operate on a hybrid model, which means that sessions are partly in the clinic and partly in your home or at your child’s school. Sessions are usually 2 hours long and most of our children have a session every day Monday-Friday. Families can choose to come into the clinic M, W, F and have therapists come to their home or school T, TH, or they can be in clinic T, Th, F and at their home/school M, W. On Fridays, we offer group therapy sessions in the clinic so that children can practice social and play skills with other children that are working on similar skills.
Our sessions are available at the following times: 8-10am, 10:15am-12:15pm, 1-3pm, 3:30-5:30pm.
Part of receiving therapy at Ascend is parent training. We offer parent training every week or every other week depending on the needs of your child. These sessions are usually offered via telehealth or during your child’s clinic session.