What is CDP (Core Developmental Program) for Autism

CDP is a relationship-based therapy for children with autism. The intervention is called CDP because the therapist gets down on the floor with the child to play and interact with the child at their level.

CDP is an alternative to ABA and is sometimes used in combination with ABA therapies.

The goal is for adults to help children expand their “circles of communication.” They meet the child at their developmental level and build on their strengths.

Therapists and parents engage children through the activities each child enjoys. They enter the child's games following Child’s lead..

Six Key Milestones of CDP

CDP aims to help the child reach six key milestones that contribute to emotional and intellectual growth:

- Self-regulation and interest in the world
- Intimacy, or engagement in relationships
- Two-way communication
- Complex communication
- Emotional ideas
- Emotional thinking
- Decision making

Therapists teach parents how to direct their children into more and more complex interactions. This process, called “opening and closing circles of communication,” is central to the CDP approach.

Overall, this method encourages children with autism to push themselves to their full potential. It develops “who they are,” rather than “what their diagnosis says.”

How does CDP work?

Sessions emphasize back-and-forth play. This builds the foundation for shared attention, engagement and problem solving. Parents and therapists help the child maintain focus to sharpen interactions and abstract, logical thinking.

Core Development Program (CDP)

It supports in:

- Strengthens Processing abilities
- Indulging in Authentic Emotional Relationship
- Learning to Communicate and Interact with purpose
- Learning to Think on their own
- FLOOR TIME–covers Social Problem Solving and Sensory Processing