Caregiver Coaching

ESDM Caregiver Coaching

In the Caregiver-Delivered version of the ESDM model, caregivers are coached to use strategies during their everyday interactions with their children that have been shown to promote social interaction, communication and learning. Caregivers are the experts on their own child. Because the vast majority of a child’s time is spent with their caregivers, the interaction between the child and his/her caregivers is far and away where most of the learning and development occurs. Research shows that the more ESDM/teaching strategies are incorporated into the home environment, a child’s learning opportunities skyrocket; thus, learning happens at an accelerated rate. 

The ESDM Caregiver Coaching sessions implement evidence-based intervention strategies, therapeutic learning and teaching principles, skilled observation, and data to guide intervention for the child and family. This is both a standardized and highly customizable process to the unique needs and challenges of each family and child.

Caregivers are trained in basic ESDM teaching principles, practice these new techniques with their child and therapist, have opportunities for collaborative problem-solving, and work with the therapist on recommendations for incorporating these learned techniques into the family and child’s everyday activities of daily living.

 The child’s progress is assessed on a regular basis and families are provided developmentally appropriate goals and strategies to incorporate into their daily life to facilitate their child’s development.

Who is this for?

This program is ideally suited for families with children ages 0-5 years of age, who have been diagnosed with ASD or identified as at-risk for social-communication vulnerabilities

What services are offered?

Sara Pro is a licensed occupational therapist (OTR/L) and certified Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) therapist through the UC Davis MIND Institute. She offers private online ESDM parent coaching services for families looking for therapeutic support in their home environment with their child.

  • Caregivers learn to implement ESDM naturalistic intervention in child’s daily routines and interactions with child

  • Family is provided developmental goals to work on with their child, with support of therapist

  • Family learns to teach child’s goals in the context of play and home activities with their child, using ESDM strategies

  • Customized sensory diet, behavior support, and reflex integration to address underlying barriers/challenges child may have

  • Caregivers receive coaching in how to better understand their child, read their communication cues, and support child’s communication

  • Strengthening bond and connection with your child

  • Training in handling challenging behaviors

  • Applying mindfulness, sensory strategies, and emotional regulation strategies in the home

  • Research shows parents who receive parent coaching have less stress, and children have less severe autism traits later in life

Sara guides online tele-health sessions for parents seeking developmental support with their young child, and use of the ESDM in their home. In the form of weekly online sessions with the family and child, parents are supported and empowered to facilitate their child’s development by learning to read their child’s communicative cues, step into their child’s spotlight, strengthen their child’s intrinsic social drive, and facilitate learning in the context of everyday play and household family routines. Families are guided to create developmentally appropriate play and self-care activities to help meet child’s developmental goals and accelerate their rate of learning.

In the context of relationships, children learn how to think, communicate, understand, behave, develop skills, and express their emotions. Sara encourages learning through children's first and foremost relationships - their parents and/or caregivers. Child goals are informed by the use of the ESDM developmental curriculum, observation, and caregiver input of children's developmental skills and challenges. This coaching model encourages a collaborative dynamic between family and therapist by prioritizing family concerns, learning styles, and contextual uniqueness. Caregivers learn to follow their child’s play, interests, and reach their child’s learning objectives, all while “finding the smile” and strengthening the bond with their child.

What is the duration of the program?

Determining the length of participation of this program is a collaborative decision between each family and therapist. Many factors may be considered, including but not limited to: age of the child; priorities, concerns, and learning objectives of the family for themselves and their child; sense of mastery and application of ESDM and other strategies into the family environment; evolving needs of family and child.

This program is highly customizable to each family’s unique needs and situation; it is a partnership that we enter into as we navigate the journey together.

What is the frequency of sessions?

Sessions typically are held weekly or bi-weekly, and run between 1-2 hours, depending on family’s need.

Where are sessions held?

Sessions are held via zoom. In-person sessions available upon request and depend on location and availability.