[Interventions centered on children with autism spectrum disorder and/or their families: a scoping review].

This review looked at autism interventions studied in Chile. Researchers found 16 studies using different approaches like music therapy, art therapy, technology, and behavioral methods. While these showed promising results for autistic children and families, the study quality was generally low. More high-quality research is needed in Chile to better understand which interventions work best for autistic children in that specific cultural context.

This scoping review examined interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder and their families within the Chilean context. The review included 16 studies (8 articles and 8 theses) from scientific databases and university repositories. Four main intervention types were identified: music and art therapy (6 studies), technology-based interventions (3 studies), behavioral approaches (3 studies), and developmental approaches (2 studies). While these interventions showed promising results, the overall quality of evidence was assessed as low.

The authors emphasized the need for more rigorous methodological designs in Chilean autism intervention research and recommended promoting evidence-based approaches such as Developmental-Based Approaches and Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions.

Results suggest promising intervention directions but highlight the need for higher quality research in Chile. Clinicians should consider Developmental-Based Approaches and Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions while awaiting stronger evidence. Cultural context appears important when implementing autism interventions.

Limited to Chilean context only. Small number of included studies (16 total). Overall low quality of evidence as assessed by researchers. Scoping review methodology provides breadth rather than depth of analysis.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition where early intervention has a key role in the development of children. In Chile, the enactment of the new ASD law highlights the need to promote research that supports evidence-based decision-making applied to the Chilean context. To describe interventions focused on children with ASD and/or their families that are documented in scientific and gray literature in Chile. This scoping review included databases and university repositories, following the protocol proposed by Arksey & O'Malley, later extended by Levac and the Joanna Briggs Institute.

The review was complemented by the evidence assessment proposed by the University of North Carolina (Relevance, Reliability, Validity, and Applicability). Eight articles and eight theses were included. Evidence on interventions for children with ASD and/or their families is limited but increasing. Intervention programs used are usually based on music and art therapy (n = 6), use of technologies (n = 3), behavioral approaches (n = 3), or developmental approaches (n = 2).

Although they show promising results, they should be carefully considered as the quality of the evidence is low. Research using rigorous methodological designs should be encouraged when evaluating interventions for the ASD population within the Chilean context, and promote the use of promising interventions, such as Developmental-Based Approaches or Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions.