# The development of the Helping your Anxious Child programme: a parent-mediated group intervention for parents of autistic children in South Asia

## TL;DR

This paper describes the development of a parent-focused program to help manage anxiety in autistic children in South Asia.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a culturally tailored, evidence-based intervention for South Asian families of autistic children with anxiety.

## Key findings

- The program was developed through consultations with local clinicians, researchers, and parents.
- It is a two-session group intervention designed for delivery by mental health professionals.
- The program addresses the lack of evidence-based support for families in South Asia.

## Abstract

Autistic children are at increased risk of experiencing a range of mental health difficulties, including anxiety. A number of intervention programmes are now available in high-income countries to support autistic children. However, to date there are no evidence-based interventions to support families of such children in South Asia. Based on consultations with clinicians, researchers and parents in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, we developed a culturally tailored two-session skills-based group programme for parents whose autistic children present with anxiety. This paper describes the process of creating this programme, to be delivered by mental health professionals.