Fathers’ Roles in Autism Interventions: A Systematic Review and Quantitative Synthesis of Barriers, Engagement, and Outcomes

Parent-mediated autism interventions are widely implemented, yet fathers’ roles are frequently underreported or aggregated within broader caregiver samples. This systematic review synthesized father-specific quantitative and qualitative evidence from studies published between 2000 and February 2026. Across 29 studies (approximately 470 fathers), controlled group-level evidence suggests that when explicitly included, fathers are associated with small-to-moderate improvements in child social communication and increased parenting self-efficacy, whereas paternal stress often remains stable. Qualitative findings identified recurring themes of motivation, structured engagement preferences, systemic barriers, and role strain. Although pooled estimates were derived from a limited number of controlled trials, findings support father-responsive recruitment, flexible delivery models, and integration of psychosocial supports within family-centered autism care.