The science behind Social ABCs
Social ABCs is supported by more than a decade of peer-reviewed research — from a foundational pilot and a randomised controlled trial to large community implementations and international adaptations. Each study below links to the published paper.
- 2024 · Frontiers in Pediatrics
Community implementation of a brief parent-mediated intervention for toddlers with probable or confirmed autism spectrum disorder: Feasibility, acceptability, and drivers of success
Drmic I, Brian J, Roncadin C, Shaver C, Pase M, Rugajs N, Tofano K, Dowds E, Zwaigenbaum L, Smith IM, Bryson SE
A close look at what makes real-world delivery succeed — feasibility, family acceptability, and the practical drivers behind a successful community rollout.
Read the paper ↗ - 2024 · Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences
Transporting and implementing a caregiver-mediated intervention for toddlers with autism in Goa, India: Evidence from the Social ABCs
Brian JA, Dowds EM, Bernardi K, Velho A, Kantawalla M, de Souza N
Adapting and delivering Social ABCs in Goa, India — evidence that the approach can transfer across cultures and health systems.
Read the paper ↗ - 2022 · Autism
Effectiveness of a parent-mediated intervention for toddlers with autism spectrum disorder: Evidence from a large community implementation
Brian J, Drmic I, Roncadin C, Dowds E, Shaver C, Smith IM, Zwaigenbaum L, Sacrey LA, Bryson SE
A large community rollout examined effectiveness when the program is delivered at scale in everyday clinical settings, beyond the research lab.
Read the paper ↗ - 2022 · Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
“Going Mobile” — increasing the reach of parent-mediated intervention for toddlers with ASD via group-based and virtual delivery
Brian J, Solish A, Dowds E, Roth I, Bernardi K, Perry K, Daoud S, Jilderda S, MacWilliam S, Smith IM, Zwaigenbaum L
“Going Mobile” extended the program's reach through group-based and fully virtual delivery — so more families can take part from home.
Read the paper ↗ - 2018 · Handbook of Parent-Implemented Interventions for Very Young Children with Autism (book chapter)
Supporting the families of high-risk infants who have an older sibling with ASD: Collaboration, consultation, and care
Brian JA, Bryson SE, Zwaigenbaum L, Cosgrove S, Roberts W
A book chapter on supporting families of infants at elevated likelihood of autism — collaboration, consultation, and family-centred care.
Read the paper ↗ - 2017 · Journal of Education and Training Studies
Feasibility of training early childhood educators in a community child care setting using a caregiver-mediated intervention for toddlers with autism spectrum disorder
Brian JA, Bernardi K, Dowds E, Easterbrook R, MacWilliam S, Bryson S
Tested whether early-childhood educators in community child-care settings could be trained to deliver the strategies — extending the model beyond parents.
Read the paper ↗ - 2017 · Autism Research
Cross-site randomized control trial of the Social ABCs caregiver-mediated intervention for toddlers with autism spectrum disorder
Brian JA, Smith IM, Zwaigenbaum L, Bryson SE
A cross-site randomised controlled trial — the gold standard for testing efficacy — of Social ABCs for toddlers with autism spectrum disorder.
Read the paper ↗ - 2016 · Autism Research
The Social ABCs caregiver-mediated intervention for toddlers with autism spectrum disorder: Feasibility, acceptability, and evidence of promise from a multi-site pilot study
Brian JA, Smith IM, Zwaigenbaum L, Roberts W, Bryson S
A multi-site pilot found the caregiver-delivered program feasible, acceptable to families, and showing early evidence of promise.
Read the paper ↗ - 2015 · Current Opinion in Neurology
Autism spectrum disorder in infancy: Developmental considerations in treatment targets
Brian JA, Bryson SE, Zwaigenbaum L
Sets out developmentally-informed treatment targets for autism that emerges in infancy — the clinical rationale Social ABCs is built on.
Read the paper ↗
This list is also maintained at socialabcs.ca.