Author: Mahera Kantawalla | September 18th, 2021
The Social ABCs is a parent-mediated early intervention programme for toddlers showing social-communication challenges that may be signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The intervention was developed by Dr Jessica Brian and her team at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto, Canada.
Thanks to the initiative of Indo Canadian Autism Network (I-CAN), Sethu had the opportunity to complete the training offered by the programme. Our Sethu Autism Intervention department has been successfully running the Social ABCs programme since January 2021 as a result.
Here is what one of the parents had to say about their experience with Social ABCs:
“The Social ABCs was recommended to me to improve R, my 2-year old’s social engagement. As is the case with any new skill, the challenge to learn and implement new habits in the way I engage with him, was a bit hard at first. However, Mahera’s patience and calm coaching helped me to stay firm and follow-through, even at times when R didn’t respond the way we expected him to. There was a brief period where it got tougher before we had a sort of breakthrough moment with him.
Earlier, R used to speak very little and didn’t always direct his communication towards us, but rather, just said whatever he wanted, whether or not a person was listening to him. Now, there is rarely a moment of silence. He has something to share with us almost every moment of the day! I can hardly believe that I was worried he wouldn’t learn how to talk effectively.
This programme has helped us immensely. R now tells us what he wants and when he wants it! When he needs to use the toilet, when he wants to sleep, what toy he wants, and he now also sings some simple songs that play on TV. This has worked wonders for us.”
Worried about your toddler’s social communication and language development? Contact Sethu TODAY!
MAHERA KANTAWALLA
Occupational Therapist