Telehealth Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Summary
Telehealth interventions for autism spectrum disorder employ digital communication technologies to deliver assessment, therapy and caregiver coaching at a distance. Predominant modalities include synchronous videoconferencing, asynchronous online modules and mobile applications. Programmes range from direct therapist-led sessions to parent-mediated models in which clinicians train caregivers to implement evidence-based strategies in natural routines. These approaches have expanded access for families in remote or under-resourced areas, reduced travel and scheduling burdens, and maintained or improved child outcomes in communication, social interaction and adaptive behaviour. The rapid pivot to remote delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated innovation in telehealth platforms, highlighted challenges such as variable internet access and digital literacy, and stimulated research into intervention fidelity, user engagement and long-term sustainability. Globally, telehealth has proven a viable complement or alternative to traditional in-person services, fostering collaborative, family-centred care and creating opportunities for multidisciplinary support across clinical, educational and community settings.
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Telehealth Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in telehealth interventions for autism spectrum disorder across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Telehealth: Delivery of healthcare services and information via telecommunications technologies.
Naturalistic Developmental Behavioural Intervention (NDBI): A framework combining developmental and applied behavioural techniques within everyday activities to support communication and social skills.
Parent-mediated intervention: An approach in which caregivers are trained by professionals to implement therapeutic strategies with their children in natural settings.
Expressive language: The ability to convey thoughts, needs and ideas through spoken or signed communication.
Intervention fidelity: The degree to which a programme is delivered as intended, including accurate and consistent implementation of prescribed strategies.
References
- Telehealth coaching in Project ImPACT indirectly affects children's expressive language ability through parent intervention strategy use and child intentional communication: An RCT. Autism Research (2024).
- Autistic young people’s experiences of remote psychological interventions during COVID-19. Autism (2023).
- Parent-Implemented Telepractice Autism Intervention: A Case Study of Maintenance and Generalization. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2023).
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