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Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up

Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) is a 10-session home visiting program designed for parents of children from birth through 48 months. ABC is founded on  attachment theory and stress neurobiology and targets several key issues identified as problematic among children who have experienced early maltreatment and/or disruptions in care. Three key components of the program are designed to help parents to: (1) re-interpret children’s behavioral signals and provide nurturance even when it is not elicited; (2) follow their child’s lead and provide a responsive, predictable environment to enhance children’s regulatory capabilities; and (3) reduce behaviors that may be frightening or overwhelming to the child. While ABC is a manualized intervention that also incorporates video-feedback, the most crucial aspect of the program is the parent coach’s use of “in-the-moment” comments that target the parent’s nurturing behaviors, following the lead with delight, and non-frightening behaviors.

Acronym: 
ABC
Targeted Populations: 
Birth – 48 months; for low-income families who have experienced neglect, abuse, domestic violence, placement instability
Published in 2025