A PRISMA Systematic Review: Parent Sensitivity in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Its Relationship with Child and Parent Characteristics

Parents’ attunement to their child’s internal states and attention foci is pertinent to parent-mediated interventions for autism. This review aimed to examine child/parent characteristics associated with parent sensitivity, which may improve the design and implementation of such interventions.

Eight databases were sourced for articles examining child/parent characteristics associated with parent sensitivity. Thirty-three studies were included.

Parent sensitivity was positively associated with child behaviour directed at the parent and gains in child language skills. Child attachment and parent perceptions were correlated with parent sensitivity; however, interpretation is cautioned as child behaviour directed at the parent was oftentimes not controlled. Unassociated factors include demographic characteristics, concurrent child skills, and autism symptomatology.

This review identified unique dyad factors to be considered in parent-mediated interventions.