Mother watching baby reach infant developmental milestones.

Early Intervention & Developmental Milestones

Individualized support for young children and their families during the early years of development.

We support communication, social engagement, play, learning, behavior, and everyday routines.

Schedule a Free 15-Minute Consultation

Who It’s For

Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers

Children with developmental concerns or delays

Children with emerging communication or social differences

Families looking for support before or alongside other services

Our Approach: The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)

Mother and child reaching developmental milestones together.

What is ESDM?

The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is an evidence-based early intervention approach for young children with autism and developmental differences. Developed by Dr. Sally Rogers and Dr. Geraldine Dawson, ESDM combines developmental science and principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in a play-based, relationship-focused approach.

ESDM is built around a simple idea: young children learn best through meaningful interactions with the people they know and love. Instead of adding more structured therapy to your day, ESDM strategies can be incorporated into the routines and activities you already do together.

At Next Steps, we coach parents and caregivers to use these strategies during play, mealtimes, reading, getting dressed, errands, and other everyday moments to support communication, social connection, learning, and independence.

The goal is to give you practical tools that fit naturally into your family's life and help you feel confident supporting your child's development.

Recommended Parent Resource

Want to learn more about using everyday activities to support your child?

An Early Start for Your Child with Autism by Sally J. Rogers, Geraldine Dawson, and Laurie A. Vismara is a parent-friendly guide to using ESDM-informed strategies to support connection, communication, and learning at home.

Rogers, S. J., Dawson, G., & Vismara, L. A. (2012). An Early Start for Your Child with Autism: Using Everyday Activities to Help Kids Connect, Communicate, and Learn. Guilford Press.

I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and parent coach. I provide developmental guidance, parent coaching, and individualized recommendations, but do not provide medical diagnoses or treatment. This information is for educational purposes only.

Understanding Your Child's Developmental Milestones

Children develop at their own pace, but milestones can provide helpful information about how a child is communicating, playing, learning, and interacting with others Below is a guide to developmental milestones you may expect at different ages, based on the ESDM Curriculum Checklist.

0–6 Months

Building Social Connection

Holds eye contact, and stays engaged during interaction.
Returns your smile
Back-and-forth coos and gazes.
Babbles to get your attention.

6–12 Months

Growing Communication & Engagement

Turns head when name is called
Follows your point, looks back to share.
Points or reaches to ask or show.
Copies a wave, clap, or sound.
Bangs, shakes, mouths with curiosity.

12–18 Months

Learning Through Play & Interaction

Points, waves, first words.
Copies actions in games like peekaboo.
Understands and uses more words.
Uses toys as intended.
Follows simple one step directions

18–24 Months

Expanding Communication & Independence

Two-word phrases
Pretend Play – Feeds a doll, acts out routines.
Flexible Play – Uses toys in varied ways.
Sustains play over several turns.
Early Problem Solving – Tries different strategies to get what they want.

When Skills Seem to Slip Away: Developmental Regression

It can be unsettling to notice a skill your child once had seems to have vanished. We look at these shifts not as permanent loss, but as a signal that your child's path needs specific support.

Timing: When to Mind the Gap

Regression typically occurs most noticeably between 15–24 months, a primary period for consolidating social-communication skills.

What It Looks Like

Not always dramatic. Often a gradual thinning of social threads — less frequent name response, fewer gestures, appearing more 'in their own world.'

What's Happening
Beneath the Surface

Regression often suggests neural pathways for social motivation face a challenge — the social world feels more like 'noise' than 'signal.'

Catching It Early: Why it Matters

The brain is at its most 'plastic' in these early years. Catching regression early lets us jump-start engagement before the gap widens.

Risk Factors & Red Flags: What to Watch For

Social & Communication

Delayed communication: No consistent babbling by 12 months, single words by 16 months, or two-word phrases by 24 months.
Limited gestures: Not pointing, waving, showing, or reaching to communicate by 12 months.
Limited response to name: Consistently not responding to or turning toward their name despite normal hearing.
Reduced social engagement: Limited or decreasing eye contact or back-and-forth interaction.

Behavioral & Play

Repetitive play: Repeating the same actions or play patterns with limited variation or flexibility.
Repetitive movements: Frequent rocking, hand flapping, finger movements, or other repetitive behaviors.
Difficulty with change: Strong distress or resistance when routines, activities, or expectations change.
Limited pretend play: Little interest in imitation, pretend play, or using toys in varied ways.
Strong or focused interests: Intense interest in particular objects, topics, or activities.
Sensory differences: Unusual sensitivity or reduced sensitivity to sounds, textures, movement, lights, or other sensory experiences.

How Pricing Works

I offer a flexible, income-based pricing model so families can access early intervention support at a rate that works for their household.

Share your household income and family size through a short, private form. Your rate is calculated immediately.

Find your rate

Your rate applies to individual coaching sessions and early intervention packages. A limited number of reduced-fee spots are also available.

Review your options

Choose the support that fits your family, then schedule your first session.

Get started

Find Your Rate

Getting Started

Free

Complimentary Consultation

A brief, no-pressure call to talk about your child's development, communication, behavior, and your family's goals. We'll discuss what you're noticing and determine whether Next Steps is a good fit.

This is for:

Families considering early intervention support
Parents who aren't sure where to start
Families deciding between individual sessions and a package

Schedule Your Free Consultation

Priced at your individualized rate

Foundation Assessment

A personalized starting point for understanding your child's current strengths and developmental needs. During an in-home visit, I'll observe your child within familiar routines and use the ESDM Curriculum Checklist to help identify strengths and areas for growth. You'll leave with a clear understanding of your child's current skills and individualized recommendations for next steps.

This is for:

Families beginning ongoing early intervention coaching
Parents who want a more comprehensive look at their child's development
Families who want individualized goals and recommendations before beginning a package

Plan for approximately 90 minutes in your home, plus time for scoring and preparation.

Book Your Foundation Assessment

Individual Coaching

30 minutes · Priced at your virtual rate

Virtual Parent Consultation

A focused session for questions, troubleshooting, or follow-up support. Your session can also be split into two 15-minute check-ins.

Great for:

A specific developmental or parenting question
Troubleshooting a current challenge
Follow-up between coaching sessions

Book Virtual Consultation

60 minutes · Priced at your individualized rate

Individual Parent Coaching Session

One-on-one early intervention coaching focused on a specific developmental concern, routine, or goal. Sessions can take place in your home or virtually.