McGill launches virtual coaching to empower parents of preschoolers awaiting developmental assessments

McGill University has introduced a virtual coaching programme, BRIGHT Coaching, to help parents navigate the wait for assessments of children with suspected developmental delays, enhancing confidence and understanding amidst a fragmented referral system.

McGill University researchers have developed a virtual coaching programme designed to support parents of preschool children with suspected developmental delays while they wait for assessment and services. The initiative, called BRIGHT Coaching, offers one-to-one help from trained coaches and practical advice for families dealing with concerns such as speech and language delays, autism and cerebral palsy. According to McGill, the programme is intended to give parents clearer information, help them prepare for appointments and guide them through a fragmented system of referrals and rehabilitation services.

Annette Majnemer, professor emerita in McGill’s School of Physical and Occupational Therapy and senior scientist at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, said many families are uncertain about what lies ahead when they first meet a neurologist or another developmental specialist. Speaking to McGill, she said the coaching helps parents think through questions, understand the range of therapies available and make sense of how care is organised in their community. She described the aim as empowerment. The programme was developed through the CHILD-BRIGHT Network, a pan-Canadian research initiative based at the health centre’s institute.

The project was tested in a clinical trial involving more than 300 parents of preschool-aged children in Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba and Nova Scotia. McGill said families who completed the 14-session programme reported feeling more confident and better informed during the waiting period than those who did not take part. More than 93% of participants also said it helped them support their child. The findings add to a growing body of work at McGill and within CHILD-BRIGHT focused on early intervention, family support and service redesign for children with brain-based developmental disabilities.

CHILD-BRIGHT, established in 2016, describes itself as a patient-oriented research network that brings together researchers, clinicians, decision-makers, young people and parents across Canada. Its broader agenda includes early intervention, mental health support and efforts to improve the way services are delivered to families. McGill also has other early childhood initiatives, including the Daniel and Monica Gold Centre for Early Childhood Development, which provides research, assessment, training and community resources. The new coaching programme sits within that wider push to make support more accessible while families are still navigating the uncertainty that often comes before a diagnosis.