The Social ABCs program, an early intervention initiative for toddlers with suspected or diagnosed autism, is expanding its reach to Manitoba. This expansion of the Social ABCs in Manitoba is made possible thanks to funding provided by the Kids Brain Health Foundation (KBHF) through RCC’s philanthropic arm, the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation.

The Rehabilitation Centre for Children (RCC) in Winnipeg hosted a week-long training event, welcoming Social ABCs trainers Erin Downs and Kate Bernardi from Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.

Over the course of the week, two Early Childhood Educators, an Intake Supervisor-Coordinator, an Occupational Therapist, and a Speech Language Pathologist from RCC deepened their knowledge of the Social ABCs approach. Thanks to the generosity of two families who volunteered to participate in practice sessions, the Early Childhood Educators were also able to gain hands-on coaching experience.

The team is now preparing to begin working with a new cohort of families in Manitoba, guided by Downs and Bernardi. Together, they have mapped out a training plan to roll out over the coming months.

“The launch of Social ABCs in Manitoba is a powerful example of the important work the Kids Brain Health Foundation is dedicated to—transforming research into real solutions for families,” says KBHF Chief Fund Development Officer Shannon Gill. “This milestone would not be possible without the generosity of our donors, whose support makes it possible to bring innovative early intervention programs like Social ABCs to new communities across Canada.”

Thanks to the two families who volunteered to participate, the ECE teachers were able to gain hands-on coaching experience.

Thanks to the two families who volunteered to participate, the ECE teachers were able to gain hands-on coaching experience.

A Made-in-Canada Model for Early Autism Intervention

The Social ABCs program is designed for toddlers aged 12 to 36 months who show signs of delayed social communication or are at risk of autism. Unlike many other interventions, it is parent-mediated: trained coaches work directly with parents, empowering them with tools and strategies to help their child communicate and connect socially.

Psychologist Dr. Jessica Brian (Holland Bloorview) co-developed the program with psychologist Dr. Susan Bryson (Dalhousie University) in the 1990s. Their research focused on identifying early signs of autism and intervening before a formal diagnosis, since evidence shows earlier intervention leads to stronger outcomes for children and families.

The program began receiving funding from Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) in 2015 and is now offered at Holland Bloorview, McMaster Children’s Hospital, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, and the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Alberta. It is also available in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

A New Chapter in Manitoba

With this training milestone, families in Manitoba will soon have access to the program for the first time. The expansion, supported by KBHF in partnership with Holland Bloorview, represents a significant step toward ensuring families across Canada benefit from early, strengths-based autism interventions.

About the Kids Brain Health Foundation: With your support, the Kids Brain Health Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that scientific advancements in neurodevelopmental health are transformed into real-world solutions. By partnering with communities, industry, government and non-profit organizations, KBHF accelerates the implementation of research-driven projects that provide measurable benefits to children and families across Canada.