Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Goals-Activity-Motor Enrichment (GAME)-based Portage early education method in family-based rehabilitation care for high-risk infants with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and to provide evidence for family intervention in this population. Methods: Totally 90 high-risk infants with ASD who were treated in a tertiary grade A hospital in Anhui province were recruited from March to October 2024. They were randomly assigned to either the control group or the intervention group using a random number table. The control group (n=45) received conventional family care and rehabilitation, while the intervention group (n=45) received the GAME-based Portage early education method. Gesell Developmental Quotient scores, parenting stress, parenting competence, and the positive screening rate for ASD were compared between the two groups after the intervention. Results: At 3 and 6 months after intervention, the intervention group showed significantly higher Gesell scores and parenting competence scores than the control group (P<0.05), and significnatly lower parenting stress (P<0.05). At 18 months of age, 10 children (22.2%) in the intervention group and 29 children (64.4%) in the control group screened positive on the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT). A comparison between the two groups showed a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). Conclusion: The GAME-based Portage early education method can improve developmental outcomes in high-risk infants with ASD, and reduce parenting stress, showing promise for clinical application.

Key words: Goals-Activity-Motor Enrichment; Portage early education method; infants at high-risk for autism spectrum disorder; rehabilitation nursing