It's great you're looking into ABA and ESDM! Both therapies can lead to improvements in cognition, language, and social skills for autistic children.

A recent study showed ESDM might be particularly helpful for social reciprocity, while ABA can be stronger for gross motor skills. Another study found that children who received ESDM maintained their gains in intellectual ability and behavior even after the intervention ended, sometimes with fewer therapy hours compared to other approaches.

The most effective approach is to personalize the choice based on your child's specific needs, and to start early with a high-intensity program. It's also important to track progress and involve parents in the therapy.