Extending the Reach of Social ABCs Early Intervention: Community Expansion and Translation

Project Description

Challenge

Social ABCs is an intervention for toddlers who are showing social-communication delays or early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This intervention does not require waiting for a formal diagnosis. As a result, it allows a child to make progress during the critical stage when their brain is at its most “plastic” (capable of rapid-learning). By 2018, the program developers had demonstrated this intervention’s efficacy in a tightly controlled trial. To ensure the program was widely accessible and able to work under “real-world” conditions, the team evaluated the use of the program in the community. Through this work, close to 200 families received the intervention. Ultimately, they realized that a 12-week program might place a high burden on some families. As a result, researchers designed an abbreviated, six-week-long version of Social ABCs that involves group learning combined with one-on-one coaching.

Project Summary

The standard Social ABCs program begins with a trained coach visiting parents at home regularly over 12 weeks to help them learn and practice techniques. They can then continue to use during their everyday lives. Although the standard (12-week) program has shown excellent results, the researchers have also been exploring other ways to deliver the intervention. They are currently piloting the abbreviated Group model at Holland Bloorview for delivery through the clinics where children are already awaiting or undergoing a diagnostic assessment. This test drive will provide families with quick, convenient and seamless access to Social ABCs at the first sign of developmental concerns.

Result

KBHN has now established that the Social ABC program is adaptable and scalable to different regions of Canada (and beyond). Implementing the program more broadly will lead to increased access to early intervention for toddlers. This increased access can lead to savings for provincial budgets. It can also lead to improved social skills for kids and reduced anxiety for the many families.