Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Supports and Strategies for Autistic Children: A Systematic Review

The effectiveness of emotion regulation supports for autistic children is of vital concern in autism practice, yet the literature is sparse and has not been summarized. A systematic review of 25 studies examined the effectiveness of emotion regulation supports for autistic children. Findings showed mixed outcomes, with 48% reporting improvements, 40% mixed results, and 12% no significant effects. Intervention approaches included behavioral-based interventions, interoception therapy, and physical activity. All studies exhibited potential biases, and limitations including small sample sizes, lack of diverse participants, and minimal follow-up assessments. Future research should prioritize larger, more diverse studies with rigorous methodologies and long-term follow-up to establish the comparative effectiveness of different approaches and strengthen evidence-based practices.