predicting recovery of children with autism spectrum disorder based on the communication skills and empathy of mothers

The purpose of this research was to predict the overall recovery of children with autism spectrum disorder based on the communication skills and empathy of mothers. The research method was descriptive-correlation with regression design. The statistical population was all the mothers of children who were referred to the rehabilitation clinics of Tehran and their children in the fall of 1401, from which 90 subjects were selected using a targeted sampling method. To collect information, Jarbak's communication skills questionnaire (CKIJT; Queen Dam Institute, 2004), Albiru empathy questionnaire (BES; Albiru et al., 2009), and clinical general statements (CGI; of the National Institute of Mental Health, 1976) were used. Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation, and multiple concurrent regression. The results showed that the communication skills and empathy of mothers have a direct and significant relationship with the recovery of children with autism spectrum disorder (p<0.01). Mothers' communication skills and empathy predict 46% of the child's recovery changes. Based on the findings of the research, it was determined that communication skills are a stronger predictor than empathy for the recovery of children. Considering the results of the research, mothers' communication and empathy skills can be used to predict the recovery of children with autism spectrum disorder. Also, it is possible to include the interventions in planning a comprehensive treatment program in rehabilitation institutions and speed up the progress in the recovery of children.