Social ABCs™
The Social ABCs™ program is committed to providing early intervention for children aged 18-42 months, currently on the waitlist for an autism assessment at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children’s Child Development Clinic.
Overview
The Social ABCs™ is an early intervention program for toddlers showing social-communication challenges that may be signs of autism spectrum disorder.
The program is parent/caregiver-mediated, meaning parents or other primary caregivers learn a set of strategies for helping their toddler communicate and interact socially. Learning occurs with the support of a coach and a parent manual.
Parents or other primary caregivers work with a trained Social ABCs™ coach to learn the intervention strategies in their child’s natural environment using play-based activities and daily routines that their child finds most motivating. The Social ABCs™ program is offered virtually and includes six consecutive weeks of small group sessions and 1:1 coaching sessions.
For more information, please visit www.socialabcs.ca.
With partners: Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation, Rehabilitation Centre for Children, Holland Bloorview, Kids Brain Health Network, and Kids Brain Health Foundation, this project team has developed a comprehensive approach to support these children and their families during this critical period.
How to Access the Program
Eligible families are contacted to discuss their interest in this program by a member of the Child Development Clinic team as space is available.
What to Expect
- Parents/caregivers will meet virtually as a small group to review the Social ABCs™ Parent Manual, once a week for 6 consecutive weeks.
- Parents/caregivers and their toddler will meet for 1:1 live virtual coaching sessions in their home or community. For weeks 1– 3, they meet twice a week and for weeks 4 – 6, they meet once a week.
- In-person 1:1 coaching sessions may be available if/as appropriate.
- All 1:1 coaching sessions are recorded for supervision and training purposes.
Program Outcomes
The impact of the Social ABCs™ program in Manitoba is significant. By providing a compassionate and advanced approach, the team equips families with practical tools and strategies to support their child while they wait for their assessment. Families also have the opportunity to connect and learn from other families.
The program has two main goals:
- Child communication (intentional, directed, functional vocal communication) and;
- Sharing meaningful, positive emotions with a primary caregiver
Program Funders
This program is funded by Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation, Rehabilitation Centre for Children, Holland Bloorview, Kids Brain Health Network, and Kids Brain Health Foundation.