Building Communication First: Parent Coaching and ABA in Ghana with Mavis Ofosuaa Debrah

Parent involvement can completely transform a child’s progress in therapy. In this conversation, we’re joined by Mavis Debra, a clinical supervisor and international behavior analyst with Autism Compassion Africa in Ghana. She shares what it looks like to bring ABA practices into a growing field while helping families understand the power of communication.

Many of the young learners Mavis works with struggle with foundational communication skills such as pointing, requesting, or gaining attention. Without these building blocks, frustration often shows up as crying, tantrums, or grabbing. By coaching caregivers to recognize these moments and teach simple ways to request, families begin to see meaningful change at home and in the community.

We also explore how culture, extended family systems, and everyday routines shape parent coaching in Ghana, and why using simple, relatable language helps caregivers feel confident and ready to participate in their child’s learning journey.

What’s Inside:

• Why foundational communication skills can reduce challenging behavior
• How parent training is evolving in Ghana
• Practical strategies for coaching caregivers in daily routines
• The importance of culturally responsive ABA practices

Mentioned in This Episode:
Autism Compassion Africa
Autism Compassion Africa on Instagram
IBAO (International Behavior Analysis Organization)
HowToABA.com/join
How to ABA on YouTube
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