The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is a theoretically grounded and empirically tested approach to early intervention for infants and toddlers showing signs of autism spectrum disorders. The book bridges the gap from the developmental psychology foundations of autism through in-depth behavioral observation to practical intervention in relationship building and play. It provides structured work guidelines for the early promotion of critical developmental tasks affected by autism spectrum disorders: imitation behavior, adaptation and play, nonverbal and verbal communication, social, cognitive, and motor skills, as well as independence. Numerous studies demonstrate the effectiveness of this early intervention, which is already widely used in the United States.