Autism Programs

Social ABCs: Parent-Mediated Early Intervention Program

Social ABCs is an evidence-based caregiver-mediated intervention for toddlers with suspected or confirmed autism or related social-communication challenges. Developed by a team of Canadian researchers, including Holland Bloorview’s own, Dr. Jessica Brian, it is considered to be a Naturalistic Developmental Behavioural Intervention (NDBI).

NDBIs are evidence-based interventions recommended for toddlers with autism, 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.

We offer a unique parent training experience where caregivers are viewed as the experts and are coached and supported by highly qualified parent coaches. The content of our service is developmental in nature and involves education and coaching around building communication skills, emotion regulation, managing challenging behaviours, sharing positive emotion with your toddler, how to encourage play and create social routines, as well as the importance of caregiver self-care.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Families of toddlers between the ages of 12-42 months

• Toddlers who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and who have been invited by the Ministry to enroll in the OAP early years programs.

• 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 at the same time each week

• 9 individual parent/caregiver-child live coaching sessions (1 hour each)

  • To be scheduled individually with Social ABCs parent coach, Mon-Fri during business hours (2 per week in first 3 weeks, then 1 per week for the next 3 weeks, in addition to the 6 group sessions).

• 1 individual parent/caregiver introductory session (30 min)

Where: All group and individual sessions take online through the Zoom platform

When: Group parent educations sessions: The group parent educations sessions (didactics) will take place weekly.

Individual parent-child virtual live coaching sessions: To be scheduled individually with Social ABCs parent coach, Mon-Fri during business hours

Parent Coaches: Kate Perry, Speech-Language Pathologist & Social ABCs Parent Coach; Kristina Tofano, Social ABCs Parent Coach; and Dr. Abbie Solish, Clinical Psychologist, Ph.D., C.Psych

What is the Social ABCs?

Psychologists, Dr. Susan Bryson and Holland Bloorview’s Dr. Jessica Brian, developed the Social ABCs in response to many years of research on the early development of social-communication in babies and toddlers. The Social ABCs is an evidence-based caregiver-mediated early years intervention program. It is a unique caregiver coaching experience that focuses on empowering parents and caregivers as they learn a specific set of skills that support their child’s social communication skills development. The Social ABCs is considered to be a Naturalistic Developmental Behavioural Intervention (NDBI).

To learn more about the Social ABCs, visit our website at www.socialabcs.ca 

What is an NDBI?

NDBIs are evidence-based interventions recommended for toddlers with autism, 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.

What is the Social ABCs coaching model?

We offer a unique parent coaching experience where caregivers are viewed as the experts and are coached and supported by highly qualified parent coaches. The content of our service is developmental in nature and involves education and coaching around building communication skills, emotion regulation, managing challenging behaviours, sharing positive emotion with your toddler, how to encourage play and create social routines, as well as the importance of caregiver self-care.

What can families expect in the virtual group 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 six small-group meetings with Coaches and other parents, as well as nine (9) in-the-moment direct, coaching sessions (i.e., individual coaching sessions with just the caregiver and child and their Social ABCs Coach).

How will families know if they can access Social ABCs through the Ontario Autism Program (OAP)?
Eligible families will be contacted by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. The ministry will invite families to enroll in the early years programs.

When will Holland Bloorview begin serving families via The Toronto Autism Services Network and OAP?
In August 2021.

Please email Moira Pena at autismservices@hollandbloorview.ca for further details/questions.