AI-Based Reflective Parenting Simulation for Parents of Autistic Children

NCT07687381 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: UH-129-26-ASD-AI
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 140
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial evaluates an AI-based parental simulation designed to support reflective parenting, emotional regulation, and parent-child communication among parents of autistic children aged 3 to 12 years. A total of 140 parents will be recruited through an external online survey platform and randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will complete baseline questionnaires, engage with the AI-based simulation, and then complete post-intervention measures. The control group will complete baseline and post-assessment measures before receiving access to the simulation.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Keywords

Parents of Autistic Children; Reflective Parenting; Parental Self-Efficacy; Emotion Regulation; Parent-Child Communication; AI-Based Simulation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Study-Specific Parent Reflective Capacity Questionnaire Score

  The study-specific Parent Reflective Capacity Questionnaire includes 8 items rated on a 1 to 5 scale. The questionnaire assesses parents' perceived capacity in four targeted domains: knowledge and understanding, parent-child communication skills, shared emotional regulation, and the parent-child relationship as a secure anchor. A total mean score will be calculated across the 8 items, with higher scores indicating higher perceived parental reflective capacity in the targeted domains.

  Baseline and immediately after the intervention or control assessment point

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will complete the baseline questionnaire battery, including a study-specific 8-item evaluation questionnaire assessing four targeted domains: knowledge and understanding, parent-child communication skills, shared emotional regulation, and relational security. They will then engage with the AI-based therapeutic parental simulation and complete the same evaluation questionnaire again, followed by user experience and human-machine interaction questionnaires.

Behavioral: AI-Based Reflective Parenting Simulation

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this group will complete the baseline questionnaire battery, including a study-specific 8-item evaluation questionnaire assessing four targeted domains: knowledge and understanding, parent-child communication skills, shared emotional regulation, and relational security. They will then complete the same evaluation questionnaire again before receiving access to the AI-based therapeutic parental simulation. After using the simulation, they will complete user experience and human-machine interaction questionnaires.

Interventions

AI-Based Reflective Parenting Simulation BEHAVIORAL

An AI-based reflective parenting simulation designed for parents of autistic children aged 3 to 12 years. The simulation allows parents to practice reflective, emotionally regulated, and supportive responses to challenging parent-child situations, with an emphasis on parent-child communication, shared emotional regulation, and the parent-child relationship as a secure anchor.

Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• \- Parent or primary caregiver of an autistic child aged 3 to 12 years.
• Child has a parent-reported diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Parent is 18 years of age or older.
• Parent is able to read and complete questionnaires in Hebrew.
• Parent has access to an internet-connected device and is able to complete the online study procedures.
• Parent provides informed consent to participate.

You may not qualify if:

• \- Parent does not provide informed consent.
• Parent is not the parent or primary caregiver of an autistic child aged 3 to 12 years.
• Parent is unable to complete the online questionnaires or the AI-based reflective parenting simulation.
• Duplicate, incomplete, or low-quality responses that do not meet study quality criteria.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Haifa: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder; Emotional Regulation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders; Self-Control; Social Behavior; Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Yael Enav, PhD

CONTACT

972-507261474; yaelenav@edu.haifa.ac.il

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: No masking will be used. Participants and researchers will not know the group assignment before randomization; however, after assignment, participants will be aware of whether they complete the AI-based simulation before or after the post-assessment measures.
• Purpose: SCREENING
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will complete baseline questionnaires, engage with the AI-based therapeutic parental simulation, and then complete post-intervention measures. The control group will complete baseline and post-assessment measures before receiving access to the simulation.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 30, 2026
• First Posted: July 7, 2026
• Study Start: June 30, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2027
• Last Updated: July 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06