Date/Time: 18th June, 2026 – 7 to 8.45 p.m. CEST
Title: Building Connection Through Dyadic Engagement and Sensory Social Routines in Young Autistic Children
Language: English
CEU’s: 1 BACB General CEU
Presenter: Jamie Hughes-Lika, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA, IBA
ESDM Certified Therapist & Trainer
Abstract;
Dyadic engagement—the shared emotional, social, and attentional connection between a child and another person—serves as a critical foundation for early learning and development. Because many young autistic children may not naturally orient toward or sustain social interaction, providers and caregivers play an important role in intentionally creating opportunities for meaningful shared engagement. While many providers are able to successfully engage children through toys or object-based activities, they often find it more challenging to develop strong dyadic engagement through social games and “people play,” where the interaction itself becomes the focus rather than the object. Sensory Social Routines (SSRs), are highly motivating, predictable, and emotionally rich interactions that support the development of communication, social reciprocity, anticipation, imitation, and regulation. This presentation will explore the role of dyadic engagement within the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) and highlight how SSRs can be used to strengthen social connection and learning. Participants will learn how to identify, develop, and expand sensory social routines that are motivating, neuroaffirming, and developmentally appropriate for young autistic children. Practical examples and strategies will be provided to help clinicians embed communication opportunities, shared affect, and reciprocal interaction within everyday play and routines.
Objectives:
- Describe the role of dyadic engagement in the social and developmental learning of young autistic children.
- Identify the core characteristics of effective sensory social routines within ESDM practice.
- Apply practical strategies for embedding communication, reciprocity, and shared engagement into sensory social routines during play and everyday interactions.
Bio:
Dr. Jamie Hughes-Lika, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA, IBA, is an Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) Certified Therapist and Trainer with nearly 30 years of experience supporting young autistic children and their families. She is an expert in Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs), who creates play-based, child-centered approaches that foster communication, social engagement, and meaningful connection. Dr. Jamie holds a PhD in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities from the University of Kent, an MA in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Ohio State University, and a BA in Psychology and Sociology from Saint Ambrose University. She has lectured internationally, published research articles, authored books, and is deeply passionate about making evidence-based, neuroaffirming, and developmentally appropriate interventions more accessible to professionals and families worldwide. As both a clinician and the parent of a neurodivergent child, Dr. Jamie brings professional expertise and personal insight to her work. She is the founder of The NDBI Navigator, an organization dedicated to advancing NDBI implementation through professional training, consultation, a podcast, a monthly newsletter, professional development memberships, and online courses designed to support clinicians, educators, and caregivers. As a Certified ESDM Trainer, she also leads advanced workshops internationally and mentors professionals pursuing ESDM therapist certification.
