Play & guided play

Skene et al., 2022 – Child Development (meta-analysis): Guided play outperforms direct instruction on several early learning outcomes. PubMed

Weisberg et al., 2016 – Guided Play: Principles & Practices (review): Explains how adult-scaffolded play boosts learning while preserving child agency. Carnegie Mellon University


Alotaibi et al., 2024 – Frontiers in Psychology (meta-analysis): Game-based learning shows moderate–large benefits for cognition, social-emotional skills, and engagement in early years. Frontiers


Sensory integration (ASI) & OT outcomes

Schaaf et al., 2013 – AJOT (randomized trial): Manualized sensory integration improved functional goals in autistic children (ages 4–8). PMC

Schaaf et al., 2018 – AJOT (systematic review): Strong evidence that ASI improves individualized participation goals; moderate evidence for skills/self-care. PubMed

Omairi et al., 2022 – AJOT: ASI associated with gains in self-care, socialization, and goal attainment for children with ASD. AOTA Research


Early caregiving, stress & epigenetics

high nurture parenting

de Magalhães-Barbosa et al., 2021 – Review: Plain-language overview connecting toxic stress, epigenetics, and child development. PMC

Jopling et al., 2025 – PNAS: Caregiving disruptions predict accelerated cellular aging via pubertal tempo in adolescents with early deprivation histories. PNAS

Screening & milestone tracking

Muthusamy et al., 2022 – JAMA Pediatrics (systematic review/meta-analysis): Evaluates ASQ’s accuracy for detecting developmental delay (12–60 months). PMC

Agarwal et al., 2024 – Early Human Development: Convergent validity of ASQ-3 against Bayley-III in clinical practice. ScienceDirect

Motor skills ↔ academics

(why hands-on toys matter)

Grissmer et al., 2010 – Developmental Psychology: Fine-motor skills are a strong predictor of later academic achievement. PubMed

Wang et al., 2024 – Systematic review: Summarizes links between motor skills and academic outcomes in school-age children. PMC

Autism-friendly environments & sensory-informed design

Tola et al., 2021 – Buildings (scoping review): What the literature says about built environments and the needs of autistic people. PMC

Mangmang & Bustillo, 2025 – Journal of Design & Built Environment: Assessment of shopping centers using the Autism ASPECTSS™ index. ejournal.um.edu.my

Abdelmoula et al., 2024 – MDPI (review): Inclusive architecture guidelines for autism; summarizes ASPECTSS™ and practical design levers. PMC

(Optional background)
Mostafa, 2014–2018 – ASPECTSS™ papers: Foundational framework with seven sensory-design criteria (acoustics, spatial sequencing, etc.). ArchnetAmazon Web Services, Inc.

Parent-mediated & caregiver training

Conrad et al., 2021 – Frontiers in Psychiatry (systematic review/meta-analysis): Parent-mediated interventions improve parent-rated adaptive functioning in children with ASD. PMC

Salomone et al., 2022 – Pilot RCT of WHO Caregiver Skills Training: CST was feasible/acceptable in public health settings and improved caregiver–child engagement. PubMed

Settanni et al., 2024 – Autism Research: Mechanisms study showing how CST changes caregiver–child interaction processes. PubMed

Cheng et al., 2022 – Review: Overview of outcomes and design features of parent-implemented interventions. PMC