Psychotherapy program for parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders

Facilitator-guided Acceptance and Commitment Bibliotherapy for Parents of Young Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Randomised Controlled Trial

NA · Chinese University of Hong Kong · NCT05872737

This study is testing a new reading and support program to see if it can help parents of young children with neurodevelopmental disorders feel better and become more mindful in their parenting.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment154 (estimated)
Ages21 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorChinese University of Hong Kong (other)
Locations2 sites (Hong Kong and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05872737 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study examines the effectiveness of Facilitator-guided Acceptance and Commitment Bibliotherapy (FAB) in improving the psychological health of parents with young children diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) such as autism and ADHD. It involves 154 Cantonese-speaking parents of children aged 2-6 years in Hong Kong, aiming to enhance psychological flexibility and mindful parenting skills. The intervention includes guided reading and support to address the unique challenges faced by these parents, ultimately seeking to improve both parental and child health outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are Cantonese-speaking parents aged 21 and older, living in Hong Kong, with a child aged 2-6 years who has a clinically documented diagnosis of NDD.

Not a fit: Parents with severe mental illnesses or those currently receiving other psychosocial interventions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly enhance the mental well-being of parents and improve behavioral outcomes for their children with NDD.

How similar studies have performed: While there is limited research specifically targeting parental mental health in this context, similar approaches have shown promise in improving outcomes for families dealing with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Parents of young children with NDD who fulfil the following criteria will be recruited:

* Cantonese-speaking Hong Kong residents,
* aged ≥ 21 years,
* have a child aged between two and six years old (preschool age) with a clinically documented diagnosis/suspected NDD diagnosis according to DSM-5 criteria (e.g., ASD, ADHD, developmental delay) and enrolled in the SWD subvented pre-school rehabilitation services offered by NGOs,
* caregivers who adopted the responsibility of taking care of the child, living together with the child, and
* have device(s) with internet access.

Parents of young children with NDD will be excluded if:

* has been diagnosed with severe mental illness(es),
* cognitive/language/communication/visual/hearing impairment(s) or disorders that may present difficulties in comprehending the content of the intervention; and/or
* are currently receiving another psychosocial, psychoeducational, or parenting intervention(s).

Where this trial is running

Hong Kong and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Intellectual Disability, Specific Learning Disorder, Communication Disorders, Motor Disorders, Neurodevelopmental disorders

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.