Expanding Training Capacity for the Group-Based Social ABCs Program: Evaluation of Coaching Models and French-Language Implementation in a Pediatric Hospital
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| Title: | Expanding Training Capacity for the Group-Based Social ABCs Program: Evaluation of Coaching Models and French-Language Implementation in a Pediatric Hospital |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Renee Baysarowich (ORCID |
| Source: | Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2026 30(6):1478-1487. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 10 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Adult Education |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, French, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Intervention, Toddlers, Coaching (Performance), Group Instruction, Program Implementation, Fidelity, Caregiver Training, Child Caregivers, English, Satisfaction, Hospitals, Interpersonal Communication |
| Geographic Terms: | Canada |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613261434573 |
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| Abstract: | Autism is the fastest growing neurodevelopmental condition in Canada. Caregiver-mediated interventions, such as the Social ABCs, improve early social communication and caregiver empowerment. To enhance accessibility, Social ABCs was adapted into a condensed, group-based model. This study evaluated its implementation and sustainability at a large pediatric hospital, examining child and caregiver outcomes across multiple coach training pathways and French-language delivery. A retrospective chart review included 361 families (children 12-42 months with suspected or confirmed autism) who completed six weekly group sessions and nine individual caregiver coaching sessions between 2020 and 2024. Coaches were trained via expert-led, hybrid, or site-led pathways. Caregiver implementation fidelity improved from 33.6% to 70.0% (p < 0.001), with similar gains in English and French. Child vocal responsivity increased from 5.7% to 43.2% (p < 0.001), and post-intervention caregiver fidelity correlated with child responsivity (r = 0.25, p < 0.001). Fidelity and responsivity outcomes did not differ by training pathway, supporting site-led training. Multiple pathways expanded clinician capacity, increasing children served by ~86% within 2 years. These findings suggest that group-based Social ABCs may improve caregiver and child outcomes, increase service capacity, and enhance accessibility for French‑speaking families, supporting feasibility of multi‑pathway training models for scaling early autism interventions. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1506556 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | Autism is the fastest growing neurodevelopmental condition in Canada. Caregiver-mediated interventions, such as the Social ABCs, improve early social communication and caregiver empowerment. To enhance accessibility, Social ABCs was adapted into a condensed, group-based model. This study evaluated its implementation and sustainability at a large pediatric hospital, examining child and caregiver outcomes across multiple coach training pathways and French-language delivery. A retrospective chart review included 361 families (children 12-42 months with suspected or confirmed autism) who completed six weekly group sessions and nine individual caregiver coaching sessions between 2020 and 2024. Coaches were trained via expert-led, hybrid, or site-led pathways. Caregiver implementation fidelity improved from 33.6% to 70.0% (p < 0.001), with similar gains in English and French. Child vocal responsivity increased from 5.7% to 43.2% (p < 0.001), and post-intervention caregiver fidelity correlated with child responsivity (r = 0.25, p < 0.001). Fidelity and responsivity outcomes did not differ by training pathway, supporting site-led training. Multiple pathways expanded clinician capacity, increasing children served by ~86% within 2 years. These findings suggest that group-based Social ABCs may improve caregiver and child outcomes, increase service capacity, and enhance accessibility for French‑speaking families, supporting feasibility of multi‑pathway training models for scaling early autism interventions. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613261434573 |
