Parent-mediated Autism Social Communication Intervention for non-Specialists – Plus (PASS Plus)

By Diksha Gajria and team

PASS Plus is a home-based and evidence-based intervention adapted and expanded from the UK Preschool Autism Communication Therapy (PACT) for community delivery by non-specialists. It aims to improve communication and social interaction through play-based strategies, while also supporting caregiver wellbeing. PASS Plus is a home-based, evidence-informed intervention adapted and expanded from the UK Preschool Autism Communication Therapy (PACT) for delivery in community settings by non-specialist providers. The intervention focuses on improving child communication and social interaction through play-based strategies, while also addressing caregiver wellbeing.

At the annual meeting, teams from four sites shared their implementation experiences within diverse health system contexts. Sri Lanka and Nepal reflected on their experiences of receiving training, while the India site shared lessons from leading trainings for other sites. Across sites, teams discussed number of families to whom the intervention has been delivered as well as the implementation challenges, and mitigation strategies.

Dr. Gauri Divan reflected on how rewarding the experience was on multiple levels, from meeting colleagues across sites in person, many of whom she had previously interacted with only virtually, to recognizing the ambitious and path-breaking work undertaken through NAMASTE, which began in 2021. She also highlighted the enthusiasm of younger team members, expressing hope that they are inspired by the research and will go on to become the next generation of investigators in the region.

The meeting provided an opportunity for teams to consolidate years of work into concise and structured presentations for the audience. A key takeaway for all members was the importance of collaboration and coordination in implementation science, where flexibility and cross-learning is essential. Positive feedback from families and recognition of the intervention’s impact continue to motivate teams to sustain this community-driven work over the long term.

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