Integrating Family Therapy Approaches in the Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in a child profoundly impacts the entire family system, necessitating comprehensive, multi-faceted treatment that extends beyond the individual child. This systematic review synthesizes the evidence for integrating various family therapy approaches—specifically Parent-Mediated Interventions (PMIs), Family-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for parents, and traditional Systemic Family Therapy (SFT), in the treatment of children with ASD. A systematic search of major psychological and medical databases (PsycINFO, PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science) was conducted for systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and high-quality randomized controlled trials published between January 2015 and December 2025. The review found that PMIs possess the strongest evidence base, demonstrating clinically relevant effects on children's adaptive functioning and disruptive behavior. Family-Based CBT is effective for treating co-occurring conditions like anxiety, while ACT for parents significantly improves parental well-being and psychological flexibility. Traditional SFT, while lacking high-quality randomized controlled trials, offers valuable systemic utility for improving family cohesion and communication. The findings support an integrated, stepped-care model where PMIs serve as the core intervention, supplemented by targeted family-based approaches to address co-occurring child symptoms and essential parental mental health needs. Future research should focus on comparative effectiveness trials and the long-term systemic impact of these integrated models.