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Autism and Developmental Disorders
2026. Vol. 24, no. 1, 12–19
doi:10.17759/autdd.2026240102
ISSN: 1994-1617 / 2413-4317 (online)

Review of quasi-experimental studies on the efficiency of the Early Start Denver Model

 
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Abstract

Context and relevance. Early intervention plays a key role in minimizing symptoms and improving adaptation in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Goal. To systematize quasi-experimental studies on the effectiveness of the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) and the P-ESDM version for parents, in order to determine their impact on the development of children with ASD and their parents. Hypothesis. The use of EDSM and P-EDSM early intervention programs, with a wide range of application intensity (from 1.5 hours to 44 hours per week), can be an effective tool for children with ASD and their parents. Methods and materials. The analysis of the results of studies on the effectiveness of ESDM and P-ESDM models published on the Scispace.com platform between 2020 and 2025 was conducted. Keywords used in the search: parent, family, early intervention, ESDM, autism spectrum disorders (ASD). According to the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 11 articles describing the results were selected from almost 200 publications. A systematic analysis method was used for the study. Results. The study showed that the use of different-intensity correction interventions using ESDM and P-ESDM programs leads to significant improvements in the development of expressive and receptive language, adaptive behavior, daily living skills, and social skills. Parents who participated in the P-ESDM program demonstrated a decrease in stress and high satisfaction with the effectiveness of the program. Conclusions. The results of the study confirm the hypothesis about the effectiveness of ESDM and P-ESDM at different levels of intensity. Systematization of data on quasi-experimental studies within the framework of the Denver model of early intervention will allow for a comparison of the results of studies conducted using other formats. It is necessary to expand access to this type of correctional assistance for families with children with ASD.

General Information

Keywords: autism, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), Early Start Denver Model, ESDM, quasi-experimental studies

Journal rubric: Research of ASD

Article type: review article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/autdd.2026240102

Acknowledgements. The author thanks V. B. Pavlenko for his help in preparing the article.

Received 11.08.2025

Revised 16.03.2026

Accepted

Published

For citation: Berezutskaya, V.P. (2026). Review of quasi-experimental studies on the efficiency of the Early Start Denver Model. Autism and Developmental Disorders, 24(1), 12–19. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/autdd.2026240102

© Berezutskaya V.P., 2026

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

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Appendix

The results of quasi-experimental studies on the effectiveness of using the Early Start Denver Model: https://doi.org/10.48612/MSUPE/fv5m-vrra-7zg9 

Information About the Authors

Valentina P. Berezutskaya, postgraduate student of the Department of General Psychology and Psychophysiology, Faculty of Psychology, Crimean Federal University named after V.I. Vernadsky (Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education KFU), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5453-0447, e-mail: 0503906010@mail.ru

Conflict of interest

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest. 

Ethics statement

The study was performed on the basis of the scientific and clinical center “Technologies of Health and Rehabilitation” of the V.I. Vernadsky KFU. Protocol of the Ethics Committee no 1 dated 2022.01.25. 

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