Expanding Training Capacity for the Group-Based Social ABCs Program: Evaluation of Coaching Models and French-Language Implementation in a Pediatric Hospital

< 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.Lay AbstractAutism is being identified in more young children in Canada, increasing the need for early supports that families can access in a timely way. The Social ABCs is a caregiver-mediated program that helps caregivers support their child's early social communication, and it was adapted into a shorter, group-based format to improve accessibility. This study reviewed clinical records from 361 families of children aged 12-42 months with suspected or confirmed autism who participated in the group-based Social ABCs program at a large pediatric hospital between 2020 and 2024. Caregivers attended group sessions and individual coaching, and clinicians were trained using different approaches, including expert-led and hospital-based training. Results showed that caregivers became more consistent and confident in using the strategies they learned, and children showed meaningful improvements in social communication. These improvements were similar for English- and French-speaking families and did not differ based on how clinicians were trained. Using multiple training pathways also allowed the program to serve many more families. Overall, the group-based Social ABCs improved outcomes for caregivers and children while increasing service capacity and access to early autism supports.