Examining the Effect of Culturally Adapted Play Therapy with Parental Involvement on Children with Autism

Comparing the effectiveness of culturally adapted play therapy with parental involvement versus routine care on stereotyped behaviors, communication skills, and social interactions in children with autism spectrum disorder

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

IRCT

Registry ID

IRCT20131112015390N10

Enrollment

Registered

2025-12-31

Start date

2021-06-05

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-02-02

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Stereotyped Behaviors, Communication Skills, and Social Interactions in Children with Autism. Autistic disorder

Interventions

Intervention 1: Intervention group: The intervention involved a series of structured, family-centered play therapy sessions aimed at building trust and engagement between the therapist, mother, and ch

enhancing eye contact, social interaction, emotional recognition, and communication skills through traditional Iranian games

encouraging active parental involvement

providing feedback on home assignments

and promoting the continuation of playful therapeutic exercises beyond the sessions. Intervention 2: Control group: This group only engaged in their usual recreational activities under parental superv

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

7 Years to 12 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: School-aged children (7 to 12 years old) diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Children with moderate to severe levels of autism according to the GARS (Gilliam Autism Rating Scale) criteria Parental willingness to participate in the study Previous diagnosis of autism made by a psychiatrist Residents of Urmia city or surrounding towns under Urmia’s jurisdiction Parents with at least a lower secondary education Obtaining informed consent from parents for participation in the study

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Children with low levels of autism according to the GARS (Gilliam Autism Rating Scale) criteria Inability of parents to read and write

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Stereotyped behaviors score. Timepoint: before the start of the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and three months after the intervention. Method of measurement: Gilliam Autism Rating Scale.;Social interactions score. Timepoint: Before the start of the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and three months after the intervention. Method of measurement: Gilliam Autism Rating Scale.;Communication skills score. Timepoint: Before the start of the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and three months after the intervention. Method of measurement: Gilliam Autism Rating Scale.	—

Measure

Time frame

Stereotyped behaviors score. Timepoint: before the start of the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and three months after the intervention. Method of measurement: Gilliam Autism Rating Scale.;Social interactions score. Timepoint: Before the start of the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and three months after the intervention. Method of measurement: Gilliam Autism Rating Scale.;Communication skills score. Timepoint: Before the start of the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and three months after the intervention. Method of measurement: Gilliam Autism Rating Scale.

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Countries

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Contacts

Public ContactNaser Parizad

Oroumia University of Medical Sciences

nparizad@gmail.com+98 44 3275 4961

Outcome results

None listed

Source: IRCT (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 7, 2026