| Abstract: The Center for Autism Research (CFAR) at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center is a landmark diagnostic and research facility that serves all junior citizens, of all nationalities, suspected to have ASD; this increases the demand on the multidisciplinary team and increases the waiting time. In response to this, this novel, telehealth, educational, and skills training program was designed for parents of children who are on the waiting list for the diagnostic service. The fundamental concept is to invest the waiting time in maximizing children's skills, preventing further complications, and advancing parents’ confidence in applying the strategies. The program consists of eight, 50 minutes sessions, that aim at increasing the parents' insight over ASD basic facts, the parents' significant role in reaching successful diagnosis as a partner in diagnostic service. Second, the parent will be trained on using strategies adopted from evidence-based programs to maximize social communication. Third, and most importantly, the parent will explore their child's potential and neglected strengths. we will share the preliminary protocol, future recommendations that could advance this initiative to be a nationally recognized practice. |