A randomized controlled study of parent-assisted Children's Friendship Training with children having autism spectrum disorders.

The team ran a fair test of Children’s Friendship Training (CFT). Kids with autism were picked at random for two groups. One group started the 12-week parent-and-child program right away. The other group waited and got the same help later.

Parents joined every session. They learned how to coach play dates, share toys, and settle arguments. Kids practiced the same skills with classmates.

Children who got CFT first scored higher on parent and child social-skills checklists. They also had smoother play dates. Most kept the gains three months later. The wait-list group stayed the same until they too received the training.

Emerson et al. (2007) tested a different parent program called RDI and saw bigger changes—some kids no longer met autism cut-offs. But that study had no control group and lasted much longer. Frankel et al. (2010) used a tighter design and showed smaller, yet solid, gains.

Pilgrim et al. (2000) warned that verbal handouts alone often fail parents. CFT added live coaching and feedback, matching that paper’s fix.

Sivaraman et al. (2021) later showed telehealth BST can work. CFT proves the same coaching model also helps friendship skills, not just mask wearing.

You now have a brief, manualized way to boost friendship skills. Use CFT when parents can attend and practice home play dates. Start with the free session scripts, track social checklists weekly, and add live feedback if a parent stalls. The gains hold after the final session, so you can fade visits without losing progress.