At Mind Project, we offer a collection of free ESDM-informed resources designed to support young children with autism and developmental differences. Developed within our Kogarah clinic, these worksheets provide practical, play-based activities that families can use to encourage communication, engagement, and early learning within everyday routines.
These resources are intended for general educational use and may be helpful alongside your child’s early intervention or support program. If you are seeking individualised guidance, we recommend consulting a suitably qualified professional.
ESDM Worksheets
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Receptive Communication
Helping children understand words, instructions, and everyday language.
Expressive Communication
Supporting children to use sounds, words, and gestures to communicate.
Social Skills
Building connection through eye contact, turn-taking, and shared enjoyment.
Play
Developing imagination, engagement, and learning through play.
Fine Motor Skills
Improving hand control for drawing, stacking, and everyday tasks.
Cognition
Encouraging thinking, problem-solving, and early learning skills.
Gross Motor Skills
Strengthening balance, coordination, and whole-body movement.
Receptive Communication Activities for Early Intervention and Autism
Early intervention activities that help toddlers and preschool children understand words, instructions, and everyday language.
What is Receptive Communication?
Receptive communication refers to a child’s ability to understand words, instructions, and everyday language. These skills help children follow directions, respond to others, and learn through interaction.
The activities below are designed for toddlers and preschool children receiving early intervention support, including children with autism or developmental delays.
Expressive Communication Activities for Early Intervention and Autism
Early intervention activities that help toddlers and preschool children develop expressive communication skills.
What is Expressive Communication?
Expressive communication refers to a child’s ability to use sounds, gestures, words, or symbols to share their wants, needs, and ideas with others. Developing expressive communication helps children participate in social interactions and communicate more independently.
The activities below support toddlers and preschool children in early intervention, including children with autism or communication delays.
Social Skills Activities for Early Intervention and Autism
Early intervention activities that help toddlers and preschool children develop social interaction, turn-taking, and shared engagement.
What are Social Skills?
Social skills help children connect and interact with others. These skills include eye contact, turn-taking, shared attention, imitation, and enjoying activities with other people.
The activities below support toddlers and preschool children in early intervention, including children with autism, to build positive social interaction and engagement.
Play Skills Activities for Early Intervention and Autism
Early intervention activities that help toddlers and preschool children develop play, imagination, and engagement with others.
What are Play Skills?
Play is one of the main ways young children learn about the world. Through play, children develop communication, imagination, problem-solving, and social skills.
The activities below support toddlers and preschool children in early intervention, including children with autism, to build engagement, creativity, and shared play experiences.
Fine Motor Activities for Early Intervention and Autism
Early intervention activities that help toddlers and preschool children strengthen hand control for drawing, stacking, and everyday tasks.
What are Fine Motor Skills?
Fine motor skills involve the small muscles of the hands and fingers. These skills help children complete everyday tasks such as drawing, stacking, cutting, and manipulating objects.
The activities below support toddlers and preschool children in early intervention to strengthen hand control and coordination.
Cognitive Development Activities for Early Intervention
Early intervention activities that help toddlers and preschool children develop thinking, problem-solving, and learning skills.
What is Cognitive Development?
Cognitive development refers to how children think, learn, remember, and solve problems. These skills help children understand their environment and build the foundations for learning.
The activities below support toddlers and preschool children in early intervention to develop thinking, attention, and problem-solving skills.
Gross Motor Activities for Early Intervention
Early intervention activities that help toddlers and preschool children develop balance, coordination, and whole-body movement.
What are Gross Motor Skills?
Gross motor skills involve large body movements such as walking, climbing, jumping, and balancing. These skills help children explore their environment and participate in active play.
The activities below support toddlers and preschool children in early intervention to develop strength, balance, and coordination.