Virtual Booth

Early intervention is vital for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to improve social communication and developmental outcomes. However, significant barriers exist, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Malaysia, where access to professional therapists is severely limited due to a shortage of Speech-Language Therapists (SLTs), financial constraints, and prolonged waiting times. The current ratio of one SLT per 250,000 population underscores a critical service gap, restricting timely and effective therapy for many children with ASD.

To address these challenges, PICA2Home offers a transformative, home-based, parent-led intervention model that empowers families to integrate social communication therapy seamlessly into daily routines. Building on the established Parent-Implemented Communication Approach (PICA), this innovation incorporates Naturalistic Developmental Behavioural Interventions (NDBI), adult learning principles, and flexible, technology-enabled delivery. Validated through the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) and refined via the Modified Nominal Group Technique (M-NGT), PICA2Home encompasses eight core components designed to train, coach, and empower parents as primary agents of change.

This model is scalable, cost-effective, and particularly advantageous for underserved and rural communities by reducing reliance on clinical settings and professional therapists. Its design supports diverse learning needs, with potential for digital integration, multilingual resources, and collaborative implementation across health and education sectors. By positioning parents at the center of evidence-based early intervention, PICA2Home bridges the gap between limited professional resources and the need for accessible, sustainable therapy, revolutionizing early ASD intervention and improving long-term outcomes for children and families.