Telehealth Parent-Mediated Intervention for Children with Autism in China: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Telehealth for delivering parent-mediated intervention (PMI) is a cost-effective method to expand service access, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. We used a randomized controlled trial to evaluate a self-directed telehealth program for parents of children newly diagnosed with autism in China. Sixty-six parents were randomized to either a 10-week intervention ( n = 33) or a waitlist control group ( n = 33). Primary outcomes included parenting stress, self-efficacy, and intervention fidelity, while secondary outcomes assessed parent autism knowledge, child social communication behaviors, and program feasibility. The intervention group reported reduced parenting stress ( g = 0.61), increased self-efficacy ( g = 0.93), and improved fidelity ( g = 0.77), with gains in autism knowledge ( g = 0.69) and child joint attention ( g = 0.62). The program also demonstrated high feasibility and acceptability. These findings support telehealth PMIs as an accessible and effective approach to empowering families in China following their child’s diagnosis.