Enhancing autism care: The role of remote support in parental well-being and child development.

The study by Lu et al explores the integration of remote family psychological support courses (R-FPSC) with traditional caregiver-mediated interventions (CMI) in the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Conducted as a single-blinded randomized controlled trial involving 140 parents of children with ASD, the research highlights the crucial role of parental mental health in optimizing therapeutic outcomes. Results indicate that the addition of R-FPSC significantly enhances parental competence and reduces stress more effectively than CMI alone. Despite improvements in parenting stress and competence, no significant differences were noted in anxiety and depression symptoms between the groups, suggesting that while R-FPSC strengthens parenting skills, its impact on mood disorders requires further investigation. The findings advocate for the inclusion of remote psychological support in family interventions as a feasible and cost-effective strategy, broadening access to essential resources and improving both parental and child outcomes. The study emphasizes the need for future research to evaluate the long-term impacts of such interventions and to explore the specific mechanisms through which parental mental health improvements affect child development.