Introduction: Children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder face challenges in social interactions and emotional communication, affecting parent-child relationship quality. Art-based programs, especially emotion-focused painting, can provide a platform for emotional expression and regulation, thereby improving parent-child interaction. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of an emotion-focused painting training program on parent-child interaction quality in children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest and follow-up design with a control group. Among children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder at the Mofid Ravanpajouhan Rehabilitation Center in Karaj County in 2025, 30 participants were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (15 each). The experimental group received the emotion-focused painting training program over ten 45-60 minute sessions (two sessions per week), while the control group received no intervention. The Pianta Parent-Child Relationship Scale (CPRS) was completed by parents at pretest, posttest, and follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA.
Findings: Results showed that the emotion-focused painting training program led to a significant increase in parent-child interaction quality in the experimental group compared to the control group at posttest (p < 0.05). This effect remained stable at follow-up, indicating the durability of the intervention.
Conclusion: These findings indicate that the emotion-focused painting training program is an effective approach for improving parent-child interaction quality in children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. Therefore, its use in rehabilitation centers and special education schools is recommended as a complementary intervention.