Holland Bloorview is pleased to be offering OAP funded caregiver mediated early years programs for young children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We are currently delivering the Social ABCs and Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT).
The Social ABCs is an evidence-based caregiver-mediated early intervention program offered for children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are 42 months of age or under at the time of registration. Developed by a team of Canadian researchers, including Holland Bloorview’s, Dr. Jessica Brian, it is considered to be a Naturalistic Developmental Behavioural Intervention (NDBI). NDBIs are evidence-based interventions designed to be implemented in natural settings, that build on the child’s interests and motivation, make use of natural opportunities for learning, and use a variety of applied behaviour analysis (ABA) strategies to teach developmentally appropriate skills.
The Social ABCs is currently offered as a 6-week, group-based intervention, delivered virtually. It includes 6 small parent group sessions and 9 individual parent-child coaching sessions.
We offer a unique parent training experience where caregivers are viewed as the experts and are coached and supported by highly qualified coaches. The content of our service is developmental in nature and involves education and coaching around: building communication skills, helping to develop emotion regulation, managing challenging behaviours, sharing positive emotions, encouraging play, and creating social routines, while also focusing on the importance of caregiver self-care.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Family has received a written invitation from the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) stating the family is eligible to register.
- Families of toddlers between the ages of 12-42 months.
- Toddlers who have been diagnosed with ASD.
- Toddlers must be able to move independently (e.g., scoot, crawl, walk, etc.).
- One parent/caregiver per child will be coached. The same parent/caregiver must be available for all sessions.
- Program delivery is in English only at this time.
The 6-week Virtual Social ABCs Program includes:
- 6 small-group parent/caregiver education sessions (1.5 hours each), with coaches and other parents
- These are held weekly (for 6 consecutive weeks) at the same time each week
- 9 individual parent/caregiver-child virtual coaching sessions (1 hour each)
- To be scheduled individually with Social ABCs parent coach, Mon-Fri during business hours (2 sessions per week in first 3 weeks, then 1 session per week for the next 3 weeks.
- These individual sessions are in addition to the 6 group sessions.
- 1 individual parent/caregiver introductory session (30 min)
All group and individual sessions take online through the Zoom for Healthcare platform.
Social ABCs Frequently Asked Questions
What can families expect in the virtual group-based Social ABCs?
In this 6-week intervention, the parent or primary caregiver interacts directly with their child, while a Social ABCs Coach leads them through learning and practicing the techniques in the context of play and social interactions. The caregiver and child interact in the comfort of their own home, while the Social ABCs coach joins them virtually, using Zoom for Healthcare. There is no interaction expected between the Social ABCs Coach and the child during the intervention, as all play and activities take place between the child and their caregiver. There will be 6 small-group meetings with Coaches and other parents, as well as 9 in-the-moment direct, virtual coaching sessions (i.e., individual coaching sessions with just the caregiver and child, and their Social ABCs Coach joining virtually over zoom).
How will families know if they can access Social ABCs through the Ontario Autism Program (OAP)?
Eligible families will be contacted by the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) if they are eligible to register. The OAP will invite families to enroll in a caregiver mediated early years (CMEY) program of their choice. The Social ABCs is one of the programs available. Families can register here if invited.
Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) is an evidence-based caregiver-mediated early intervention program offered for children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are 48 months of age or under at the time of registration. PRT is currently offered as a 12-week individual intervention, delivered virtually.
PRT is a Naturalistic Developmental Behavioural Intervention (NDBI) based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and was developed for toddlers diagnosed with ASD. PRT targets pivotal areas of a child’s development and focuses on increasing a young child’s motivation to learn, play, communicate, and engage in social interactions. PRT uses your young child’s motivation to teach communication and social engagement. You will learn the core strategies of the program so that you can use them in day-to-day routines and interactions with your child.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Family has received a written invitation from the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) stating the family is eligible to register.
- Families of toddlers and young children between the ages of 12-48 months.
- Toddlers and young children who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Children must be able to move independently (e.g. scoot, crawl, walk, etc.).
- One parent/caregiver per child will be coached. The same parent/caregiver must be available for all sessions.
- Program delivery is in English.
The 12-week Virtual PRT Program includes:
- 1 pre-program introductory meeting (1-hour phone call)
- 12 individual parent/caregiver-child virtual coaching sessions (1 hour each) to be scheduled individually with PRT coach. Mon-Fri during business hours (9am to 4pm).
- 3 booster sessions over the course of the 3 months following the completion of the program (one 1 hour session per month )
All sessions are currently taking place online through the Zoom for Healthcare platform.
PRT Frequently Asked Questions:
Who delivers the intervention?
PRT is usually supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst or Psychologist (i.e., other PRT trained professionals may be designated as supervisor). The program is delivered by PRT coaches with experience implementing Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) programs with children with autism and training caregivers using Behavioural Skills Training (BST).
What are the strategies used in PRT?
PRT is implemented in a child’s natural setting with a caregiver to teach skills that are developmentally appropriate for the child using ABA strategies. Coaches will work collaboratively with caregivers and teaching skills through the use of Behaviour Skills Training (BST). BST involves coaches providing instruction and models to the caregiver and then allowing the caregiver to practice and receive feedback from the coach.
What is the role and time commitment of caregivers?
The caregiver is committing to a minimum of one hour each week (for 12 weeks) for their coaching session (i.e., intensity and/or duration of program may vary by provider). The caregiver will be asked to practice the techniques learned in the coaching sessions with their child during typical daily activities and play time between sessions. The caregiver may be required to complete some assessments, surveys, diaries, or other supplemental documents as part of the intervention and/or program evaluation (this may vary by provider).
What happens during a PRT session?
PRT sessions will involve a caregiver, their child, and a trained coach. The caregiver will be asked to engage in typical daily activities and play time with their child while being coached by a professional on how to create more language opportunities. Coaches will provide instructions and model PRT strategies, and then give the caregiver an opportunity to practice using those strategies with their child. Once the caregiver has the opportunity to practice, they will receive feedback from the coach to help implement the strategies effectively in order to achieve the intervention goal(s) and continue implementing on their own once coaching sessions end.
What happens if a session is missed?
If you need to cancel a session, 24-hours' notice is important. Where possible, sessions may be rescheduled within the 12-week treatment block. It may not be possible to reschedule cancelled sessions with less than 24-hours' notice (including ‘no shows’).
How will families know if they can access PRT through the Ontario Autism Program (OAP)?
Eligible families will be contacted by the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) if they are eligible to register. The OAP will invite families to enroll in a caregiver mediated early years (CMEY) program of their choice. PRT at Holland Bloorview is one of the programs available. Families can register here if invited.
