Episode 18 Coaching Caregivers and Supporting Early Development with Social ABCs

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Jessica Brian, psychologist, senior clinician scientist at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, and associate professor at the University of Toronto. A long-time champion of caregiver-mediated interventions, Dr. Brian shares her journey into Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs) and her leadership in developing the Social ABCs program. With decades of experience at the intersection of research and clinical practice, Dr. Brian highlights the power of empowering caregivers, listening to parents, and grounding early intervention in meaningful everyday interactions. Dr. Brian and her team continue refining Social ABCs, updating their website with new video content and caregiver-friendly summaries of the latest research. As they expand their reach, the core mission remains unchanged: to empower families, listen deeply to their insights, and support meaningful developmental outcomes through play and connection.