If you are an educator or a clinician interested in learning either the ESDM or the GESDM with us, you are very welcome! There are many ways to learn with EDAC including supervision (described below) and workshops. ESDM and GESDM workshops are regularly held in our demonstration programs. No matter how or what you wish to learn you can complete an interest form at the bottom of this page, and you will be contacted by a member of our consultation team.
Our passion is to impart our expertise in the implementation on Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI) and specifically the Group-based Early Start Denver Model (G-ESDM). Our tried and true system is based on more than 20 years experience of Dr. Cynthia Zierhut Ursu in the field of autism and training, and our trainers’ expertise in the implementation of Evidence-Based-Practices (EBP) in education. We pride ourselves on setting up our clients, families, and schools for success in the implementation of EBP in naturalistic environments for very young children.
Supported by the scientific-informed principles of developmental psychology and learning science, the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) and G-ESDM are play-based, relationship-focused teaching, the educational program can be delivered in 1:1 sessions, small group format or in the classroom.
Dr. Zierhut Ursu is a Certified ESDM Trainer and delivers the ESDM Advanced Workshop in accordance with the guidelines created by the ESDM Training Program and the University of California, Davis www.esdm.co
Dr. Zierhut Ursu is also one a handful of professionals equipped to train in the Group-Early Start Denver Model. In 2011 she began living and working with the team (Dr. Vivanti, Jess Feary, Kristi Capes) at La Trobe University. This is the flagship site for the G-ESDM and one of the sites that has produced randomized control trials on the efficacy of the G-ESDM in inclusive settings. After returning to the states she began working collaboratively with preschools to implement the G-ESDM. Dr. Irene Russo joined EDAC and she began utilizing an implementation science approach to research these community partnerships. In the past four years, Dr. Zierhut Ursu with Dr. Irene Russo and Yamit Karabelnik, Ph.D., candidate have created learning modules for teachers and clinicians to learn the strategies of G-ESDM. The training provides structured, hands-on strategies for coaching teams to work with very young children from 9 to 50 months in group settings to promote development in such key domains as imitation; communication; social, cognitive, and motor skills; adaptive behavior; and play.
G-ESDM Training Process
Developed by Dr. Cynthia Zierhut Ursu, Irene Russo and Yamit Karabelnik
Group Early Start Denver Model Training Process for Naive Learners (Early Education Teachers or Paraprofessionals with little to no ASD background)
Pre-requisite Training: Early ASD (not supplied by EDAC), Early Developmental Knowledge (not supplied by EDAC), Inclusion (if needed, seek training from everychildincluded.org )
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Early Education Teachers with ASD background/Special Education Teachers/ASD Therapists without ESDM Training
Pre-requisite Training: Early Start Denver Model Introductory Workshop (provided by UCDavis Extension, if non-English speaking may be provided in language by ESDM Cert. Trainer)
https://extension.ucdavis.edu/course/early-start-denver-model-introductory-workshop
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Group Early Start Denver Model Training Process for Learners with ESDM training (Early Education Teachers or professionals with ASD + ESDM Intro course/Special Education Teachers/ASD Therapists with ESDM Intro course)
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Supervised Practice or ESDM Certified Therapists
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Read Manual
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Early Days Autism Center G-ESDM Introductory Learning Modules
Topics: More on the Developmentally based group delivered curriculum of the G-ESDM, more on the G-ESDM Fidelity of Implementation, more on the evolving research and related research to the G-ESDM, and the Relationally based class-room delivered structure of the G-ESDM (applies to preschool delivery)
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Enter a Learning Community
EDAC G-ESDM Practice Learning Modules (Days 1, 2)
Working with Dyads (1:2)
Modules: Supporting Peer Interactions, video/module based learning
Creating “GARs” (Small Groups)
Modules: The Lead and Prompt Role, activity, Teaching Plans for Groups activity, and more on tracking the progress of your group
Creating a Learning Environment for “GARs” (Large Groups)
Modules: Building a Schedule activity, the Bridge Role activity, transitions, video/module based learning, and Communication activity
Program Development
Topics: More on the G-ESDM Fidelity of Implementation, using the G-ESDM Decision Tree/Problem Solving, how to include structured teaching approaches
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Supervised Practice
Group Early Start Denver Model Leadership Training
Educators/Therapists who have completed the EDAC G-ESDM Practice modules
Enter Champion Learning Community
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Topics: Developing vision and mission of G- ESDM program & adapting to educational philosophy, using tools to select staff and creating a transdisciplinary team, allocating for appropriate planning time in the G-ESDM program, team communication and organization, coaching others in the G-ESDM.