Developing an early intervention guideline for parents to improve social skills spectrum disorder in Jordan

There has been a rise in the number of young children being diagnosed with Autism_ Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This study aims to develop a guide for early intervention for_ parents_ to_ improve_ the_ social_ and_ communication_ skills_ of_ children_ with_ autism_ spectrum disorder in Jordan. An experimental quantitative research design was chosen_ to_ achieve_ the_ study objectives._ Using a_ random_ sampling_ method, 60_ families who_ have children with autism spectrum disorder are chosen as a study sample. The children_ age_ ranged_ from 4_ to_ 6 years. A self developed questionnaire was_ distributed_ to the_ sample to measure the family_s need for early intervention in improving the social skills of_ the_ children._ These_ families_ were_ provided_ with_ evidence_ through_ eight-week_ training sessions, followed by a questionnaire showing the extent to which some of their_ children's social skills had improved. Data analysis of the questionnaire is carried out_ using SPSS (version 23). The results revealed a moderate level of agreement among the_ parents relating to the need of family for guidance for early intervention (M=2.39, SD=_ 0.94) in order to improve the children_ communication skill (M=1.75, SD=0.76) and the_ social_ skills_ (M=1.57, SD=0.61). These_ results_ indicated_ the necessity_ of conducting_ early_ intervention_ programs_ for_ families_ of_ children_ with_ ASD to_ improve_ children_ social and communication skills.