Effectiveness of Parent-mediated Intervention Versus Standard Therapist-based Intervention in Indian Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial
In brief
Parent-guided autism therapy reduced symptom scores 4.4 points versus 2.6
In a randomized trial of children aged 24 to 36 months, both approaches improved development over six months, but parent-guided VQURA therapy produced larger reductions in autism symptom scores and greater gains in social functioning. The results support parent coaching as a potential option where therapist-led care is hard to scale, but larger studies are needed to confirm the advantage.
- Journal
- Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBP (Q1)
- Published
- 7 October 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Praveen Suman, Jasnavdeep Kaur, Sonika Pal, Ashima Mehta, Jyoti Prajapati
- PMID
- 42841398
- DOI
- 10.1097/DBP.0000000000001518
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Pediatrics and Child Health (top studies of the week, 8 November 2026): Parent‑mediated Intervention vs Therapist‑Based Intervention in ASD
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The global prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased substantially in recent decades. In India, prevalence estimates range from 0.74% to 1.68% among children aged 2 to 6 years. Therapist-based interventions are resource-intensive and impractical in low- and middle-income countries. Parent-mediated interventions (PMIs) offer an alternative; however, Indian comparative data are limited. This RCT compared the effectiveness of the Value-based, Quality interaction, Unique for the child, Responsive and Adapted for family (VQURA), a PMI, with standard Therapist-Based Intervention in young children with ASD. METHODS: This prospective RCT included 24 to 36-month-old children fulfilling DSM-5 criteria for ASD. Participants were randomized to either the Parent-Mediated Intervention group, involving parent-delivered intervention with therapist guidance, or the Therapist-Based Intervention group, involving therapist-led sessions. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 6 months using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Vineland Social Maturity Scale (VSMS), and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. Both interventions resulted in significant within-group improvements across developmental domains. The PMI group demonstrated significantly greater reductions in autism symptom severity (CARS score mean change -4.40 vs -2.60; p = 0.005) and larger gains in social and adaptive functioning (VSMS Social Quotient +17.22 vs +11.18; p = 0.015). Longitudinal analysis confirmed superior improvement trajectories for PMI in autism severity (p = 0.005) and social functioning (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: The VQURA Parent-Mediated Intervention was more effective than therapist-based intervention in improving autism severity and social functioning, supporting its use as a scalable early intervention model in resource limited settings.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.