It's great you're looking into ABA and ESDM! Recent studies show both therapies help children with autism, but there are some interesting differences in long-term outcomes.

ESDM (Early Start Denver Model) often leads to stronger, lasting improvements in social skills and behavior, sometimes with fewer therapy hours compared to ABA. A 2025 study even suggested matching therapies to needs, using ESDM for social skill deficits and ABA for adaptive skills.

While ABA is great for things like motor skills, ESDM focuses on natural play and parent-child interaction to boost communication. A study following kids who had ESDM found they kept making progress in IQ and behavior even a couple of years after the therapy ended! You can find more details on this study here: https://escholarship.org/uc/item/2mn000m0