Parent-Mediated Social Cognition Intervention for Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (PMSC-ASD)

Inclusion Criteria:

Children：

• Aged 2.5 to 14 years at time of enrollment, with a primary recruitment focus on children aged 3 to 10 years.
• Meets diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), confirmed by a specialist clinician.
• Full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) ≥ 70 as assessed by an age-appropriate Wechsler intelligence scale administered.
• Possesses sufficient verbal ability to engage with structured play-based intervention activities, as judged by the recruiting clinician.
• Resides with and is cared for by a participating parent or legal guardian who meets the caregiver eligibility criteria below.

Caregiver：

• Is the primary caregiver (parent or legal guardian) of the enrolled child and resides in the same household.
• Is able and willing to attend an in-person parent training session (approximately 2.5 hours) at the study site prior to intervention commencement.
• Is able and willing to commit to administering the structured intervention program to the child for a minimum of 30 minutes per day throughout the 6-month intervention period.
• Is able and willing to participate in monthly online video supervision sessions with the study clinician.
• Has sufficient literacy and comprehension ability to understand program training materials and follow intervention procedures.
• Provides written informed consent on behalf of the child and for their own participation prior to any study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

Children：

• Known diagnosis of a genetic syndrome associated with ASD or intellectual disability, including but not limited to Fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex, or Rett syndrome.
• Presence of a neurological disorder, including epilepsy (unless fully controlled with stable medication for ≥ 12 months), acquired brain injury, cerebral palsy, or other significant neurological condition that may confound assessment of social cognition.
• Uncorrected vision or hearing impairment that would preclude participation in behavioral or eye-tracking assessments.
• Currently enrolled in another interventional clinical study targeting social cognition, communication, or behavioral outcomes.
• Any medical, psychiatric, or developmental condition that, in the opinion of the recruiting clinician, would interfere with the child's ability to participate in or benefit from the intervention.

Caregiver：

• Unable to attend the in-person parent training session at the study site due to geographic, occupational, or other constraints.
• Unable to commit to the daily home-based intervention schedule or monthly online supervision sessions for the full 6-month intervention period.
• Presence of significant mental health difficulties or other circumstances that, in the opinion of the recruiting clinician, would substantially impair the caregiver's ability to deliver the intervention with adequate fidelity.