Innovative Program Technology ThriveGuide Helps More Families and Children with Autism Learn and Grow

WORDS BY Lorraine Pelley

Most parents of children with Autism face numerous challenges trying to find and access the much-needed services to help their child. Along with trying to find the right services for their child, once they find one, they are often put on lengthy wait lists that can last over a year or longer.

Another challenge parents face is that once they do see a specialist, they are often left out of the conversation. Despite knowing their child best and being their biggest advocate, a parent’s input is rarely included when determining the type of treatment the child receives.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a lifelong neurological and developmental disorder that affects about one in 36 children. It affects each person differently, so a one-size-fits all approach to treatments and therapies doesn’t work. For many children, multiple types of therapy are needed to help them develop and learn.

Jonathan Alderson, an autism specialist, has been working with parents and Autistic children for over 25 years. He believes that in order to help a child succeed in their growth and development, parents and specialists must work together.

His unique multi-treatment approach incorporates a variety of treatments and services matched specifically to each child. Alderson collects information from the parents, observes the child and assesses their needs. He then uses all the information gained to create a highly individualized treatment map that not only outlines what treatments and therapies will work best for the child but also provides a sequential order to maximize the autistic child’s learning and development.

Knowing the stresses families face and the limitations of in-person services, Alderson wanted to find a way to share his knowledge and help more children with Autism. He launched ThriveGuide, an algorithm-based digital platform two years ago.

ThriveGuide is an innovative online program that creates an individualized precision development plan based on each child’s strengths and challenges. The program not only selects the best type of therapies and strategies to help the child learn and develop, it also tells parents what order the treatments should be done to maximize their child’s learning potential.

The program is an inexpensive and easy-to-use tool that can be accessed anytime and anywhere. To use ThriveGuide, a parent creates an account. They then complete a savable intake form that provides in-depth information about their child. This data is run through the algorithm designed by Alderson to create five customized goals called “5 to thrive”, with step-by-step action plans.

ThriveGuide can be used on its own or in conjunction with other therapies and programs, however, because it’s an online program, families also don’t need to wait.

Alderson completed an undergraduate degree in Developmental and Educational Psychology from the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Education from Harvard University. He went on to study at the University of Paris and completed an intensive three-year intensive training in Autism Play Therapy at the Autism Treatment Centre of America. He developed an early interest in working directly with children. During his career, Alderson developed a humanistic approach to the services he provides. He’s lived in the United States and the United Kingdom before returning to Canada.

Now based in Toronto, Ontario, Alderson serves as Chair of the Professional Advisory Committee for the Seneca College Behavioral Sciences Program. He is the author of a seven-award winning book titled Challenging the Myths of Autism. He’s also been a keynote speaker and presenter at numerous seminars across Canada and around the world.

The years he spent working directly with children and listening to their parents talk about the type and timing of treatments that worked and didn’t work, was instrumental in influencing his in-person services and development of ThriveGuide.