The Early Social Interaction Project (ESI) is a model demonstration project for young children with social-communication delays who are at risk for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The project is developing a model for coordinated, intensive, routines-based intervention in natural environments.
The major principles of the Early Social Interaction Project
Research on children with autism indicates that intervention provided before age 3 has a much greater impact than after age 5. Because of new research on early indicators of autism, children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can be identified more readily under the age of 3, increasing opportunities for effective early intervention.
The purpose of the Early Social Interaction Project is to increase knowledge and understanding of effective strategies to provide intensive early intervention for very young children with ASD. This is accomplished by enhancing the caregiver’s role in natural environments and the child’s ability to participate in functional interactions and daily activities. The Project has been designed to maximize the potential for replicability by being community-based, family-guided, implemented in natural environments, and involving collaboration with service providers.