Effectiveness of Training Programs for Caregivers of Children With Autism: A Systematic Review.

PMID 41848272 | DOI 10.3928/02793695-20260312-01 · Journal of psychosocial nursing and mental health services · 2026

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PURPOSE: To synthesize current research that evaluated caregiver training programs for children with autism. METHOD: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement was followed to conduct this systematic review. A literature search was performed using MeSH terms in the following databases: PubMed (n = 239), PsycINFO (n = 31), CINAHL (n = 390), and Scopus (n = 5,336). After screening and quality assessment review, data from a total of 24 articles were extracted for inclusion in the literature synthesis. RESULTS: Of 24 studies reviewed, 22 reported a positive impact on caregiver knowledge, children's behavior, and social communication skills despite variation in training modalities and duration. CONCLUSION: Caregiver training programs that integrated individualized instruction using applied behavioral analysis were found to be most effective in improving caregiver knowledge and skills, child behavior, and communication skills. Psychiatric-mental health nurses may use these findings to coordinate training programs or inform caregivers about this resource.