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King T, Hui GCM, Muschialli L, Shafran R, Ritchie B, Hargreaves DS, Heyman I, Griffiths H, Bennett S. Mental health interventions for children and young people with long-term health conditions in Children and Young People's Mental Health Services in England. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry 2024; 29:799-819. [PMID: 38041611 PMCID: PMC11188560 DOI: 10.1177/13591045231216134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Almost a quarter of children and young people (CYP) in England have a long-term health condition (LTC), which increases the risk of developing mental health difficulties. There is a lack of understanding regarding the routine provision and efficacy of mental health interventions for CYP with LTCs within Children and Young People's Mental Health Services (CYPMHS). METHODS This study analysed national service-reported data in England from two secondary datasets. Data were submitted by services between 2011 and 2019. We evaluated data on the presence or absence of a serious physical health or neurological issue, and which interventions were offered. RESULTS A total of 789 CYP had serious physical health issues and 635 had neurological issues. The most common interventions delivered to CYP in either group have some evidence in the literature. Most CYP showed improvements across a range of outcomes. CONCLUSIONS This study found that prevalence rates and psychological intervention and outcome data were widely under-reported across both datasets, posing questions about their utility for this population. Such data would benefit from triangulation with data from other sources to understand pathways of care for these young people and the extent to which clinical datasets underreport the number of CYP with LTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas King
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London
| | - Gladys CM Hui
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London
| | | | - Roz Shafran
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London
| | - Benjamin Ritchie
- Child Outcomes Research Consortium (CORC), The Kantor Centre of Excellence, London
| | - Dougal S Hargreaves
- Houston Reader in Paediatrics and Population Health, Mohn Centre for Children’s Health and Wellbeing, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London
| | - Isobel Heyman
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London
| | | | - Sophie Bennett
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London
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2
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Kilburn TR, Rapee RM, Lyneham HJ, Thastum M, Thomsen PH. Testing a cognitive behavioural therapy program for anxiety in autistic adolescents: a feasibility study. Nord J Psychiatry 2024; 78:421-430. [PMID: 38690784 DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2024.2338206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism includes core symptoms affecting general and social development. Up to 60% of autistic adolescents experience co-occurring anxiety disorders negatively influencing educational, social, and general development together with quality of life. A manualised cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) program 'Cool Kids - Autism Spectrum Adaptation (ASA)' has previously demonstrated efficacy in reducing anxiety in children with co-occurring autism. The current study investigates the feasibility of adapting this program for adolescents. METHODS Fifteen autistic adolescents, aged 14-17 years, with co-occurring anxiety disorders were enrolled in the study. Outcome measures collected from both adolescents and parents pre-, post-treatment and at 3-month follow-up included participant evaluation of the program, scores from a semi-structured anxiety interview, and questionnaires on anxiety symptoms, life interference, and quality of life. RESULTS 92% of the families who completed the program found it useful and would recommend it to other families in a similar situation. At follow-up, 55% no longer met the criteria for their primary anxiety diagnosis and 34% of adolescents were free of all anxiety diagnoses. Of the five adolescents who did not attend school before treatment three (60%) had returned to school after treatment. CONCLUSION This study suggests that the adaptation of the program 'Cool Kids - ASA' into an adolescent version is feasible and has the potential to show good effects thus enhancing the possibility of education, development and independence in future life for this group. Larger RCTs studies are, however, needed to examine the efficacy of the adolescent version.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina R Kilburn
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ronald M Rapee
- Centre for Emotional Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Heidi J Lyneham
- Centre for Emotional Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mikael Thastum
- Centre for the Psychological Treatment of Children and Adolescents (CEBU), Department of Psychology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Per Hove Thomsen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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3
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Pemovska T, Loizou S, Appleton R, Spain D, Stefanidou T, Kular A, Cooper R, Greenburgh A, Griffiths J, Barnett P, Foye U, Baldwin H, Minchin M, Brady G, Saunders KRK, Ahmed N, Jackson R, Olive RR, Parker J, Timmerman A, Sapiets S, Driskell E, Chipp B, Parsons B, Totsika V, Mandy W, Pender R, Clery P, Lloyd-Evans B, Simpson A, Johnson S. Approaches to improving mental health care for autistic children and young people: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychol Med 2024:1-31. [PMID: 38757186 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291724001089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Autistic children and young people (CYP) experience mental health difficulties but face many barriers to accessing and benefiting from mental health care. There is a need to explore strategies in mental health care for autistic CYP to guide clinical practice and future research and support their mental health needs. Our aim was to identify strategies used to improve mental health care for autistic CYP and examine evidence on their acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness. A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out. All study designs reporting acceptability/feasibility outcomes and empirical quantitative studies reporting effectiveness outcomes for strategies tested within mental health care were eligible. We conducted a narrative synthesis and separate meta-analyses by informant (self, parent, and clinician). Fifty-seven papers were included, with most investigating cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based interventions for anxiety and several exploring service-level strategies, such as autism screening tools, clinician training, and adaptations regarding organization of services. Most papers described caregiver involvement in therapy and reported adaptations to communication and intervention content; a few reported environmental adjustments. In the meta-analyses, parent- and clinician-reported outcomes, but not self-reported outcomes, showed with moderate certainty that CBT for anxiety was an effective treatment compared to any comparison condition in reducing anxiety symptoms in autistic individuals. The certainty of evidence for effectiveness, synthesized narratively, ranged from low to moderate. Evidence for feasibility and acceptability tended to be positive. Many identified strategies are simple, reasonable adjustments that can be implemented in services to enhance mental health care for autistic individuals. Notable research gaps persist, however.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Pemovska
- NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sofia Loizou
- NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Rebecca Appleton
- NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Theodora Stefanidou
- NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ariana Kular
- NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ruth Cooper
- NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anna Greenburgh
- NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jessica Griffiths
- NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Phoebe Barnett
- NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Effectiveness, Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
- National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, Royal College of Psychiatrists, London, UK
| | - Una Foye
- NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Helen Baldwin
- NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Matilda Minchin
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Gráinne Brady
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Nafiso Ahmed
- NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Robin Jackson
- Lancaster and Morecambe Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, Morecambe, UK
- University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK
| | - Rachel Rowan Olive
- NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit Lived Experience Working Group, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jennie Parker
- NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit Lived Experience Working Group, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
- School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
- Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Reading, UK
| | - Amanda Timmerman
- Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, UCL, London, UK
| | - Suzi Sapiets
- Tizard Centre, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | | | - Beverley Chipp
- NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit Lived Experience Working Group, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Vaso Totsika
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Will Mandy
- Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, UCL, London, UK
| | - Richard Pender
- Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, UCL, London, UK
| | - Philippa Clery
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
- Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Brynmor Lloyd-Evans
- NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alan Simpson
- NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sonia Johnson
- NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
- Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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4
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Reaven J, Pickard K, Meyer AT, Hayutin L, Middleton C, Reyes NM, Tanda T, Stahmer A, Blakeley-Smith A, Boles RE. Implementing school-based cognitive behavior therapy for anxiety in students with autism or suspected autism via a train-the-trainer approach: Results from a clustered randomized trial. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2024; 28:484-497. [PMID: 37208894 DOI: 10.1177/13623613231175951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Autistic youth frequently experience anxiety that can negatively affect them at home, with friends, and at school. Autistic youth have difficulty accessing mental health care, and this is particularly true for youth from traditionally underserved backgrounds. Providing mental health programs in schools may increase access to care for autistic youth with anxiety. The purpose of the study was to train interdisciplinary school providers to deliver school-based Facing Your Fears, a cognitive behavior therapy program for anxiety in autistic youth. Seventy-seven interdisciplinary school providers across 25 elementary/middle schools were trained by their colleagues and members of the research (train-the-trainer approach). Eighty-one students with autism or suspected autism, ages 8-14 years, were randomly assigned to either school-based Facing Your Fears or usual care. Students in school-based Facing Your Fears showed significant reductions in anxiety compared to students in usual care according to caregiver and student report. Other measures involved examining change in provider cognitive behavior therapy knowledge after training and determining how well interdisciplinary school providers were able to deliver school-based Facing Your Fears. Results indicated that interdisciplinary school providers showed significant improvements in cognitive behavior therapy knowledge after training. Interdisciplinary school providers were able to deliver most of school-based Facing Your Fears activities and with good quality. The positive outcomes in this study are encouraging. Training interdisciplinary school providers to deliver school-based Facing Your Fears may increase access to care for anxious autistic students. Future directions and limitations are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judy Reaven
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, USA
| | | | | | - Lisa Hayutin
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, USA
| | | | - Nuri M Reyes
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, USA
| | - Tanea Tanda
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, USA
| | - Aubyn Stahmer
- Davis Health Center, University of California, Davis, USA
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5
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Maughan AL, Lunsky Y, Lake J, Mills JS, Fung K, Steel L, Weiss JA. Parent, child, and family outcomes following Acceptance And Commitment Therapy for parents of autistic children: A randomized controlled trial. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2024; 28:367-380. [PMID: 37165863 PMCID: PMC10851654 DOI: 10.1177/13623613231172241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Parents of autistic children commonly experience difficulties with their own mental health. This study looked at the effects of a brief group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy program, developed for parents of autistic children, youth, and adults. ACT focuses on increasing psychological flexibility, which is the ability to be mindful and accepting of difficult thoughts and experiences, shown to be important for mental wellness. Participants included 54 parents of autistic people, ages 3-34. Parents were randomly divided into two groups: a Treatment group that received the intervention right away, and a Waitlist group that completed the program after the Treatment group completed the trial. All parents filled out questionnaires right before the program began, and at 3, 7, and 17 weeks after randomization. Compared to the group that was waiting to participate in the program, parents in the Treatment group reported greater improvements in depression and family distress, and these improvements were still present 4 months later. Parents in the Treatment group also reported short-term improvements in their positive feelings and personal goals, compared to those waiting. Results showed that ACT may help improve some aspects of mental health for parents of autistic children, but further research is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yona Lunsky
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Lee Steel
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Canada
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6
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Beversdorf DQ, Ferguson B, Hunter S, Hirst K, Lolli B, Bellesheim KR, Barton AU, Muckerman J, Takahashi N, Selders K, Holem R, Sohl K, Dyke P, Stichter J, Mazurek M, Kanne S. Randomized controlled trial of propranolol on social communication and anxiety in children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:19-32. [PMID: 38086927 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06452-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impaired social communication and is also frequently characterized by co-occurring anxiety. Propranolol is widely utilized to treat performance and public speaking anxiety. Single-dose psychopharmacological challenge studies suggested benefits using propranolol for verbal tasks and social interaction. OBJECTIVE We conducted a double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of the β-adrenergic antagonist propranolol in ASD for social interaction, anxiety, and language. METHODS Seventy-four participants with ASD, age 7-24 years, were enrolled and randomized to a 12-week course of propranolol or placebo, with blinded assessments at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the General Social Outcome Measure-2 (GSOM-2) for social interaction, and secondary outcomes were the Clinician Global Clinical Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) ratings independently conducted for social interaction, anxiety, and language at 6 weeks and 12 weeks. RESULTS Sixty-nine participants completed the 12-week visit. No significant effect of drug was found for the GSOM-2 or the CGI-I for social interaction or language. CGI-I for anxiety showed greater improvement with propranolol at the 12-week time point (p = 0.045, odds ratio = 2.58 (95% CI = 1.02-6.52). Expected decreases in heart rate and blood pressure were observed with propranolol, and side effects were uncommon. CONCLUSIONS Propranolol did not impact social interaction measures or language, but there were indications of a beneficial effect for anxiety. This will need confirmation in a larger multicenter trial, monitoring markers or characteristics to identify those participants most likely to respond to propranolol for anxiety, and determine whether there is a subset of participants that are responsive for other previously reported outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Q Beversdorf
- Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Missouri, One Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO, DC069.1065212, USA.
- Departments of Radiology, Neurology, and Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA.
- William and Nancy Thompson Endowed Chair in Radiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA.
| | - Bradley Ferguson
- Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Missouri, One Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO, DC069.1065212, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA
| | - Samantha Hunter
- Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Missouri, One Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO, DC069.1065212, USA
| | - Kathy Hirst
- Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Missouri, One Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO, DC069.1065212, USA
| | - Bridget Lolli
- Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Missouri, One Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO, DC069.1065212, USA
| | | | - Amy U Barton
- Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, USA
| | - Julie Muckerman
- Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Missouri, One Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO, DC069.1065212, USA
| | - Nicole Takahashi
- Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Missouri, One Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO, DC069.1065212, USA
| | - Kimberly Selders
- Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Missouri, One Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO, DC069.1065212, USA
| | - Ryan Holem
- Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Missouri, One Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO, DC069.1065212, USA
- University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, USA
| | - Kristin Sohl
- Deparment of Child Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA
| | - Peter Dyke
- Deparment of Child Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA
| | - Janine Stichter
- Department of Special Education, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA
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7
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DeVries L, Pickard K, Boles R, Blakeley-Smith A, Duncan A, Keefer A, Klinger L, Meyer A, Reaven J. The Role of Maternal Anxiety in Treatment Response for Youth with ASD and Co-occurring Anxiety. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2023; 54:1789-1798. [PMID: 35678890 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-022-01381-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders occur at higher rates in youth with ASD than in neurotypical youth. Although the efficacy of CBT for anxiety in children with ASD is widely supported, factors that influence treatment outcomes are not well understood. This study examined the role of maternal anxiety in treatment outcomes for youth with ASD. Youth with ASD and anxiety (ages 8 to 14), along with their mothers (n = 87), participated in a group CBT intervention. Results indicated that maternal anxiety did not improve over the course of treatment. However, findings suggest that high levels of maternal anxiety at pre-treatment predicted higher levels of youth anxiety post-treatment. Importantly, the relationship between parent anxiety and youth outcomes was moderated by child age. The findings of the present study may provide initial insight into the role that maternal anxiety plays in treatment outcomes for children with ASD and co-occurring anxiety, particularly when considering child age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey DeVries
- Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, 13123 East 16th Avenue, 80045, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Katherine Pickard
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Richard Boles
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, JFK Partners, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Audrey Blakeley-Smith
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, JFK Partners, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Amie Duncan
- Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Amy Keefer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Laura Klinger
- TEACCH Autism Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Allison Meyer
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, JFK Partners, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Judy Reaven
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, JFK Partners, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA
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8
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Guzick AG, Schneider SC, Perozo Garcia AB, Kook M, Greenberg RL, Riddle D, McNeel M, Rodriguez-Barajas S, Yang M, Upshaw B, Storch EA. Development and pilot testing of internet-delivered, family-based cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders in autistic youth. J Obsessive Compuls Relat Disord 2023; 37:100789. [PMID: 36908861 PMCID: PMC9997671 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocrd.2023.100789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive behavioral therapy adapted for autistic youth with anxiety and/or OCD has a strong evidence base, but few have access. A 12-week family-based, Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) program for 7-15 year-old autistic youth with anxiety and/or OCD was developed as a potential method to address this problem. Quantitative and qualitative feedback from stakeholders (parents, youth, clinicians) was gathered on an initial draft of content before conducting a pilot trial. This feedback suggested high quality, engagement, usability, and informativeness of the material. Suggestions were incorporated into the treatment program that was tested in a pilot trial. Eight families were randomized to the iCBT program with either 1) weekly email support or 2) weekly email support plus biweekly telehealth check-ins, and seven of these families completed pre- and post-treatment assessments. An average reduction of 39% in anxiety severity was found, with six of the seven being classified as responders. Preliminary evidence suggests that family-based iCBT is an acceptable and promising treatment for autistic youth with anxiety and/or obsessive-compulsive disorders that should be further modified and tested in future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G Guzick
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sophie C Schneider
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Amanda B Perozo Garcia
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Minjee Kook
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Rebecca L Greenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David Riddle
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Morgan McNeel
- Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Michelle Yang
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Blake Upshaw
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - Eric A Storch
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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9
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Storch EA, Shepherd WS. Improving access in 2023: Evidence-based psychotherapy for autistic youth with anxiety. Bull Menninger Clin 2023; 87:1-5. [PMID: 36856479 DOI: 10.1521/bumc.2023.87.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Eric A Storch
- The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Whitney S Shepherd
- The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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10
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Kilburn TR, Sørensen MJ, Thastum M, Rapee RM, Rask CU, Arendt KB, Carlsen AH, Thomsen PH. Group Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomised Controlled Trial in a General Child Psychiatric Hospital Setting. J Autism Dev Disord 2023; 53:525-538. [PMID: 32219638 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04471-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) programs adapted to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) effectively reduce anxiety when run in university clinics. Forty-nine children aged 8-14 years participated in a waitlist controlled study in a general child psychiatric hospital setting. Post-treatment 30% of the children were free of their primary anxiety diagnoses and 5% were free of all anxiety diagnoses. No statistically significant difference between the two trial conditions were found on primary outcomes. However, statistically significant differences were found on secondary outcomes indicating clinically meaningful treatment responses. Together with high program satisfaction this study shows the CBT program to be feasible and potentially efficacious in treating anxiety in children with ASD in a general child psychiatric hospital setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina R Kilburn
- Research Unit, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Aarhus University Hospital, Psychiatry, Palle Juul Jensens Boulevard 175, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark.
| | - Merete J Sørensen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric Clinic for School Aged Children, Aarhus University Hospital, Psychiatry, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mikael Thastum
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural Science, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ronald M Rapee
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Charlotte U Rask
- Research Unit, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Aarhus University Hospital, Psychiatry, Palle Juul Jensens Boulevard 175, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric Clinic for School Aged Children, Aarhus University Hospital, Psychiatry, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kristian B Arendt
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural Science, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anders H Carlsen
- Research Unit, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Aarhus University Hospital, Psychiatry, Palle Juul Jensens Boulevard 175, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Per H Thomsen
- Research Unit, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Aarhus University Hospital, Psychiatry, Palle Juul Jensens Boulevard 175, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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11
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McCrossin J, Lach L, McGrath P. Content analysis of parent training programs for children with neurodisabilities and mental health or behavioral problems: a scoping review. Disabil Rehabil 2023; 45:154-169. [PMID: 34990567 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2021.2017493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Several systematic reviews have examined parent training programs for families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The present review expands on this literature by describing the components, delivery methods, and level of parent involvement in parent training programs that target families of children with any neurodisability and comorbid disruptive behavior or other mental health problem. MATERIALS AND METHODS Following a scoping review protocol, the search strategy included randomized controlled trials of parent training programs conducted with families of children with neurodisabilities and comorbid disruptive behavior or mental health problems. Study characteristics, program content, delivery methods, and theoretical frameworks were extracted from eligible studies. RESULTS A total of 22 articles were included from the 453 full-text articles initially screened. Thirteen different programs fell into two general categories based on whether they targeted child disruptive behavior or anxiety. Analysis of the content yielded five themes: child skill enhancement, parenting as enacted, parenting as experienced, disability-related parenting, and parent-child relationships. The theoretical underpinnings were identified, when possible, from each study. CONCLUSIONS Parent training programs for parents of children with neurodisabilities targeting child anxiety involved parents in a complementary role in treatment while those targeting disruptive behavior involved parents in a primary role in creating behavior change. We suggest that the extent of parent involvement in interventions be guided by theory rather than diagnosis of the child.Implications for rehabilitationParents of children living with neurodisabilities play a key role in delivering interventions to address comorbid mental health or behavioral problems.Parent training programs for families of children with neurodisabilities vary in relation to their aims, involvement of parents in delivering interventions, disability-specific content, and delivery methods.When referring families, rehabilitation professionals should be aware of aspects of child, parent, and family relational well-being targeted by parent training programs and, when feasible, give families a choice of the style of program to meet their needs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucyna Lach
- School of Social Work, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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12
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Sánchez-Cueva MS, Alcantud Marín F, Alonso-Esteban Y. Ansiedad y trastornos del espectro del autismo: notas para la intervención psicoeducativa. SIGLO CERO REVISTA ESPAÑOLA SOBRE DISCAPACIDAD INTELECTUAL 2022. [DOI: 10.14201/scero2022534930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Se analizan de forma narrativa las relaciones entre comportamiento sensorial atípico, intolerancia a la incertidumbre y regulación emocional como generadores de los trastornos de ansiedad en niños y niñas autistas. El objetivo es estudiar el origen de la ansiedad en los niños y niñas autistas con la finalidad de determinar cuál o cuáles pueden ser los procedimientos de intervención más adecuados. Se han revisado algunos de los programas de intervención cognitivo-conductuales más utilizados en niños y niñas autistas y las adaptaciones realizadas a los mismos. Se observa un divorcio entre los programas psicoeducativos escolares y los programas clínicos de intervención para el tratamiento de la ansiedad. Como conclusión, se recomienda que en los programas psicoeducativos escolares se incorporen acciones proactivas en forma de programas de intervención cognitivo-conductuales para evitar o aminorar los efectos negativos de la ansiedad en el aprendizaje e inclusión escolar de los niños y las niñas autistas.
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Clifford P, Gevers C, Jonkman KM, Boer F, Begeer S. The effectiveness of an attention-based intervention for school-aged autistic children with anger regulating problems: A randomized controlled trial. Autism Res 2022; 15:1971-1984. [PMID: 36053934 PMCID: PMC9804490 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Anger regulation is a challenge for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We investigated if attention-based cognitive behavioral treatment, based on mindfulness cognitive therapy (MBCT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), reduces aggressive behavior and improves anger coping in school-aged autistic children (n = 51). Children were randomized to an active-control or a treatment condition. The treatment included nine weekly sessions attention-based individual therapy. Parents in both conditions received three weekly psychoeducation group sessions to heighten awareness of expressed emotion (EE). For aggressive behavior, treatment reduced temper tantrums and arguing. No effect was found on destroying things and physical violence. For anger coping, treatment increased adaptive coping strategies of diffusion and social support seeking, but had no effect on assertion, rumination, and maladaptive coping direct anger out and avoidance. Treatment did not impact secondary outcome measures concerning children's quality of life (QoL) and parental stress-levels and psychological well-being. In conclusion, school-aged autistic children are able to acquire self-regulation skills reducing temper tantrums and arguing and increasing the use of adaptive anger coping strategies. The intervention shows potential to improve behavior and regulation, but little transfer to other domains. Limitations and future directions involving the child's social environment, including parents, siblings, and teachers are discussed. LAY SUMMARY: Children on the autism spectrum often show aggressive behavior. Treatment can train children to be more aware of their emotions. This study found that this can help reducing temper tantrums and arguing and increasing some coping skills, though no impact was found on several other domains of aggression and coping.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kim M. Jonkman
- Department of Clinical‐Neuro and Developmental PsychologyVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamBTThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public HealthVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamBTThe Netherlands
| | - Frits Boer
- Child and Adolescent PsychiatryAmsterdam Medical CenterAmsterdamAZThe Netherlands
| | - Sander Begeer
- Department of Clinical‐Neuro and Developmental PsychologyVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamBTThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public HealthVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamBTThe Netherlands
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Hodges A, Cordier R, Joosten A, Bourke-Taylor H. Closing the Gap Between Theory and Practice: Conceptualisation of a School-Based Intervention to Improve the School Participation of Primary School Students on the Autism Spectrum and Their Typically Developing Peers. J Autism Dev Disord 2022; 52:3230-3245. [PMID: 34862953 PMCID: PMC9213293 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05362-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
Limited interventions exist that support student's school participation. This paper describes a theoretical model of school participation and the iterative process that led to the development of an intervention that aims to improve the school participation of students on the autism spectrum and their typically developing peers. Literature on autism, school participation and intervention research were integrated to develop a theoretical model. Focus groups, a Delphi study, online surveys, and reference group consultation helped to develop and refine the intervention. A novel school-based intervention was developed. The impetus to develop interventions with a strong theoretical rationale is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Hodges
- Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA Australia
| | - Reinie Cordier
- Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA Australia
- Department of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Annette Joosten
- Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA Australia
- School of Allied Health, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Helen Bourke-Taylor
- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, Frankston, VIC Australia
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15
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MOLDOVAN M, PRODAN N, COMAN AD, VISU-PETRA L. "Deep Dive into the Constructive Mind: Relating Interpretive Diversity Understanding to Anxiety Symptoms and Parental Practices in Middle Childhood". JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE-BASED PSYCHOTHERAPIES 2022. [DOI: 10.24193/jebp.2022.1.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The relation between the understanding of the mind as being constructive, anxiety, and parental factors is not fully elucidated. Interpretive diversity understanding represents an understanding that people can have a different interpretation of the same situation due to differences in beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge. We aim to bring together two approaches to this concept: the interpretive theory of mind (ToMi), and the constructivist theory of mind (ToMc) and relate them to anxiety symptoms and parental practices during middle childhood (8-12 years). In two studies, we used a restricted view paradigm to assess ToMi, a questionnaire to assess ToMc (the Constructivist Theory of Mind Interview, short written version in Study 1, and extended interview in Study 2) and parental and child reports of parental practices, as well as children’s anxiety symptoms. Results revealed that the two interpretive diversity understanding tasks were positively associated (Study 2). Overall, warm parental practices were positively associated with ToM tasks and a significant predictor for the ToMc interview answers. On the other hand, parental rejection and overprotection were negatively associated with performance on the ToMi task, with the ToMc score and positively with anxiety symptoms. Understanding the relationship between ToM, anxiety, and parental practices is essential for preventing early social and emotional difficulties during middle childhood.
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Rosen TE, Pickard K, Ponomaryova A, Kerns CM, Reaven J. From Clinic to Classroom: Two Case Studies of Youth With ASD and Anxiety From the School-Based Facing Your Fears Program. J Cogn Psychother 2022; 36:24-41. [PMID: 35121677 DOI: 10.1891/jcpsy-d-20-00051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered best practice for treating anxiety in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in clinic settings. However, there is significant need to translate CBT into school settings. This paper presents two case illustrations of students who participated in the Facing Your Fears: School-Based program (FYF-SB), a manualized, group CBT intervention for anxiety in ASD, adapted for delivery in schools by interdisciplinary school providers. Students showed improvement in anxiety across multiple domains following intervention, according to clinical interview and parent- and self-report. These outcomes suggest that anxious youth with ASD can benefit from CBT delivered by interdisciplinary school providers. Importantly, decreases in anxiety symptoms were evident in domains that were not explicitly targeted during intervention. Overall, these case illustrations help frame areas of future research, including examining how treatment gains may generalize across anxiety domains as well as whether corresponding improvement in school functioning occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara E Rosen
- JFK Partners, Department of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Katherine Pickard
- Marcus Autism Center, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anastasiya Ponomaryova
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Montefiore Hospital/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Connor M Kerns
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Judy Reaven
- JFK Partners, Department of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Assessment and treatment of anxiety in children and adolescents with ASD: a systematic review. ADVANCES IN AUTISM 2021. [DOI: 10.1108/aia-03-2021-0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality of current studies that assess and treat anxiety symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). More specifically the study aimed to answer the following questions: What are the qualities of the current studies using cognitive behavioral therapies (CBTs) to treat anxiety symptoms in children with ASD? Did studies make necessary modifications and adaptations to CBTs according to the evidence-based strategies and implement these versions of CBTs with precise fidelity? Were the selected measurements appropriate for assessing the anxiety symptoms in children with ASD?
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic review protocol was developed from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (Moher et al., 2009). A rubric was adapted based on the CEC (Council for Exceptional Children; Cook, 2014) group comparison studies standards and the Evaluative Method for Determining EBP in Autism (Reichow et al., 2007). The 3-point Likert Scale (Chard et al., 2009) was adapted to score each study based on the rubric.
Findings
CBT is a first-line treatment with significant mixed results. Current studies use adapted versions of existing CBTs for children with ASD without reporting empirical evidence to these adaptations and changes. Reporting of the implementation fidelity is still an issue in the treatment of anxiety. Anxiety measurements that were designed for typically developing children failure to detect unusual anxiety symptoms in children with ASD.
Research limitations/implications
The first limitation of this study was including a variety of studies across CBT programs and types of anxiety symptoms. Types of anxiety and CBT treatments may require separate analyses with specific indicators. Due to the limited studies, reviews could not be analyzed across types of CBT programs. The second limitation was the types of studies. Most of the studies were pilot studies. Pilot studies might use various instruments and CBTs components for making selections to produce the best effects and results. The final limitation was the lack of examination of the data analysis process.
Originality/value
These findings are important because due to the variety of changes or adaptation to CBTs, inappropriate implementations and failure to detect unusual anxiety symptoms of children with ASD may cause significant differences in treatment responses and outcomes. The study demonstrated that the majority of the studies used adapted versions of existing CBTs without reporting empirical evidence for these adaptations and changes. The findings have shown that reporting of the implementation fidelity is still an issue. Moreover, the majority of studies had used anxiety measurements that were designed for typically developing children, not for children with ASD.
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Sharma S, Hucker A, Matthews T, Grohmann D, Laws KR. Cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety in children and young people on the autism spectrum: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychol 2021; 9:151. [PMID: 34598734 PMCID: PMC8487131 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-021-00658-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Anxiety is common in youth on the autism spectrum and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been adapted to address associated symptoms. The aim of the current systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the efficacy of CBT for reducing anxiety in autistic youth. Method Searches of PubMed and Scopus databases were undertaken from January 1990 until December 2020. Studies were included if they consisted of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) using CBT to reduce anxiety in autistic youth. Separate random effects meta-analyses assessed anxiety ratings according to informant (clinician; parent; child), both at end-of-trial and at follow-up. Results A total of 19 RCTs met our inclusion criteria (833 participants: CBT N = 487; controls N = 346). Random effects meta-analyses revealed a large effect size for clinician rated symptoms (g = 0.88, 95% CI 0.55, 1.12, k = 11), while those for both parent (g = 0.40, 95% CI 0.24, 0.56; k = 18) and child-reported anxiety (g = 0.25, 95% CI 0.06, 0.43; k = 13) were smaller, but significant. These benefits were not however maintained at follow-up. Moderator analyses showed that CBT was more efficacious for younger children (for clinician and parent ratings) and when delivered as individual therapy (for clinician ratings). Using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool, we found concerns about reporting bias across most trials. Conclusions The efficacy of CBT for anxiety in autistic youth was supported in the immediate intervention period. However, substantial inconsistency emerged in the magnitude of benefit depending upon who was rating symptoms (clinician, parent or child). Follow-up analyses failed to reveal sustained benefits, though few studies have included this data. It will be important for future trials to address robustness of treatment gains overtime and to further explore inconsistency in efficacy by informant. We also recommend pre-registration of methods by trialists to address concerns with reporting bias. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40359-021-00658-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Sharma
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, AL10 9AB, UK.
| | - Abigail Hucker
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, AL10 9AB, UK
| | - Terry Matthews
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, AL10 9AB, UK
| | - Dominique Grohmann
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, AL10 9AB, UK
| | - Keith R Laws
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, AL10 9AB, UK
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Muris P, Ollendick TH. Selective Mutism and Its Relations to Social Anxiety Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2021; 24:294-325. [PMID: 33462750 PMCID: PMC8131304 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-020-00342-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In current classification systems, selective mutism (SM) is included in the broad anxiety disorders category. Indeed, there is abundant evidence showing that anxiety, and social anxiety in particular, is a prominent feature of SM. In this article, we point out that autism spectrum problems in addition to anxiety problems are sometimes also implicated in SM. To build our case, we summarize evidence showing that SM, social anxiety disorder (SAD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are allied clinical conditions and share communalities in the realm of social difficulties. Following this, we address the role of a prototypical class of ASD symptoms, restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests (RRBIs), which are hypothesized to play a special role in the preservation and exacerbation of social difficulties. We then substantiate our point that SM is sometimes more than an anxiety disorder by addressing its special link with ASD in more detail. Finally, we close by noting that the possible involvement of ASD in SM has a number of consequences for clinical practice with regard to its classification, assessment, and treatment of children with SM and highlight a number of directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Muris
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
| | - Thomas H Ollendick
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, USA
- Roehampton University, London, England
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Longitudinal Psychiatric and Developmental Outcomes in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: A Systematic Review. J Dev Behav Pediatr 2021; 42:415-427. [PMID: 34110308 DOI: 10.1097/dbp.0000000000000927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is a common genetic deletion syndrome associated with psychiatric disorders and developmental delays. A significant amount of 22q11DS research literature is published annually; here, we focus exclusively on longitudinal data that have been published in the past 5 years regarding psychiatric disorders and/or cognitive and social development. After a review, areas for future research consideration and clinical recommendations are presented. METHODS Articles were reviewed and organized in adherence with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for conducting systematic reviews. The literature search identified 852 studies, and 22 studies met inclusion criteria. RESULTS Longitudinal study findings indicate that developmental considerations for youth with 22q11DS should focus on the primacy and enduring nature of social and executive functioning deficits, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and negative symptoms of psychosis. CONCLUSION From the diathesis of physiological conditions and genetic variance, 22q11DS and its associated phenotype of persistent cognitive deficits, comorbid psychiatric disorders, and social impairments likely conspire to increase the risk for stress in adolescence. The diathesis-stress framework, along with chronic stress, increases psychosis risk in individuals with 22q11DS. The existing literature has a heavy focus on the impact of the deletion on individual skills and attributes, such as cognition, but lacks information on the impact of the environment. Future 22q11DS research should consider specific aspects of social functioning, including interactions with parenting styles and family communication, as well as high demands in educational settings, as possible risk factors for psychosis.
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Oerbeck B, Overgaard KR, Attwood T, Bjaastad JF. "Less stress": a pilot study on a cognitive behavioral treatment program for anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders. Scand J Child Adolesc Psychiatr Psychol 2021; 9:30-40. [PMID: 33928052 PMCID: PMC8077410 DOI: 10.21307/sjcapp-2021-005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Comorbid anxiety disorders are prevalent in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but only a minority receives adequate treatment for anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. The objectives of the present pilot study were to test the feasibility of the CBT program “Less stress” for comorbid anxiety disorders in children with ASD and explore whether an improvement in diagnostic outcomes for anxiety disorders and symptoms of anxiety was found after treatment. Methods: Participants were ten children diagnosed with ASD and anxiety disorders (eight boys, mean age = 9.5 years, range 8 - 12 years). The “Less Stress” program includes three months of weekly treatment sessions followed by three monthly booster sessions. Five therapists participated. A standardized semi-structured diagnostic interview with the mothers was used to assess comorbid disorders. Child anxiety symptoms were measured with the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS). Results: The therapists found the manual easy to use but adaptations were necessary, particularly shorter sessions due to frequent (n = 7) comorbid Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. The participants found the program useful and the parents noted that they had learned methods they could continue using after the end of the program. Eight of ten children completed the treatment. Seven of the eight completers benefited from the program. Five of those seven children were free from all anxiety disorders, while two had fewer anxiety disorders. On a group level, a significant mean reduction of anxiety symptoms (RCADS) was found after treatment. Conclusion: The therapists found the “Less stress” program to be a feasible intervention in a sample of children with ASD and comorbid anxiety. The significant reduction of anxiety after treatment is promising, but a replication in a larger and more rigorous study is needed to investigate the effectiveness of the intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beate Oerbeck
- Oslo University Hospital, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo, Norway
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Muris P, Ollendick TH. Current Challenges in the Diagnosis and Management of Selective Mutism in Children. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2021; 14:159-167. [PMID: 33623447 PMCID: PMC7896755 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s274538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Selective mutism (SM) is a childhood disorder characterized by a consistent failure to speak in specific social situations (eg, school) despite speaking normally in other settings (eg, at home). This article summarizes evidence supporting the recent classification of SM as an anxiety disorder and discusses the implications of this re-classification for the assessment and treatment of SM in clinical practice. Meanwhile, clinicians should also realize that SM sometimes is a heterogeneous disorder in which other problems are also present that complicate the management of children with SM. As examples, we discuss speech and language problems, developmental delay, and autism spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Muris
- Department of Clinical Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Departement Sielkunde, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Thomas H Ollendick
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Roehampton London, London, UK
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James AC, Reardon T, Soler A, James G, Creswell C. Cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020; 11:CD013162. [PMID: 33196111 PMCID: PMC8092480 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013162.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous Cochrane Reviews have shown that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective in treating childhood anxiety disorders. However, questions remain regarding the following: up-to-date evidence of the relative efficacy and acceptability of CBT compared to waiting lists/no treatment, treatment as usual, attention controls, and alternative treatments; benefits across a range of outcomes; longer-term effects; outcomes for different delivery formats; and amongst children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and children with intellectual impairments. OBJECTIVES To examine the effect of CBT for childhood anxiety disorders, in comparison with waitlist/no treatment, treatment as usual (TAU), attention control, alternative treatment, and medication. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Common Mental Disorders Controlled Trials Register (all years to 2016), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO (each to October 2019), international trial registries, and conducted grey literature searches. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials of CBT that involved direct contact with the child, parent, or both, and included non-CBT comparators (waitlist/no treatment, treatment as usual, attention control, alternative treatment, medication). Participants were younger than age 19, and met diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder diagnosis. Primary outcomes were remission of primary anxiety diagnosis post-treatment, and acceptability (number of participants lost to post-treatment assessment), and secondary outcomes included remission of all anxiety diagnoses, reduction in anxiety symptoms, reduction in depressive symptoms, improvement in global functioning, adverse effects, and longer-term effects. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard methodological procedures as recommended by Cochrane. We used GRADE to assess the quality of the evidence. MAIN RESULTS We included 87 studies and 5964 participants in quantitative analyses. Compared with waitlist/no treatment, CBT probably increases post-treatment remission of primary anxiety diagnoses (CBT: 49.4%, waitlist/no treatment: 17.8%; OR 5.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.90 to 7.60; n = 2697, 39 studies, moderate quality); NNTB 3 (95% CI 2.25 to 3.57) and all anxiety diagnoses (OR 4.43, 95% CI 2.89 to 6.78; n = 2075, 28 studies, moderate quality). Low-quality evidence did not show a difference between CBT and TAU in post-treatment primary anxiety disorder remission (OR 3.19, 95% CI 0.90 to 11.29; n = 487, 8 studies), but did suggest CBT may increase remission from all anxiety disorders compared to TAU (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.16 to 6.46; n = 203, 5 studies). Compared with attention control, CBT may increase post-treatment remission of primary anxiety disorders (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.33 to 3.89; n = 822, 10 studies, low quality) and all anxiety disorders (OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.22 to 6.17; n = 378, 5 studies, low quality). There was insufficient available data to compare CBT to alternative treatments on post-treatment remission of primary anxiety disorders, and low-quality evidence showed there may be little to no difference between these groups on post-treatment remission of all anxiety disorders (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.35 to 2.23; n = 401, 4 studies) Low-quality evidence did not show a difference for acceptability between CBT and waitlist/no treatment (OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.41; n=3158, 45 studies), treatment as usual (OR 1.37, 95% CI 0.73 to 2.56; n = 441, 8 studies), attention control (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.49; n = 797, 12 studies) and alternative treatment (OR 1.58, 95% CI 0.61 to 4.13; n=515, 7 studies). No adverse effects were reported across all studies; however, in the small number of studies where any reference was made to adverse effects, it was not clear that these were systematically monitored. Results from the anxiety symptom outcomes, broader outcomes, longer-term outcomes and subgroup analyses are provided in the text. We did not find evidence of consistent differences in outcomes according to delivery formats (e.g. individual versus group; amount of therapist contact time) or amongst samples with and without ASD, and no studies included samples of children with intellectual impairments. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS CBT is probably more effective in the short-term than waiting lists/no treatment, and may be more effective than attention control. We found little to no evidence across outcomes that CBT is superior to usual care or alternative treatments, but our confidence in these findings are limited due to concerns about the amount and quality of available evidence, and we still know little about how best to efficiently improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony C James
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Highfield Unit, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Tessa Reardon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- School of Psychology & Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | | | | | - Cathy Creswell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- School of Psychology & Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
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Perihan C, Burke M, Bowman-Perrott L, Bicer A, Gallup J, Thompson J, Sallese M. Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Reducing Anxiety in Children with High Functioning ASD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 50:1958-1972. [PMID: 30810842 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-03949-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at greater risk for experiencing high levels of anxiety symptoms. Recent evidence suggests Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may also be effective for anxiety reduction in some presentations of ASD. This meta-analysis evaluated twenty-three studies. Results yielded a moderate effect size (g = - 0.66) for the reduction of anxiety symptoms. Moderators indicated larger effects for studies were achieved with parental involvement (g = - 0.85, p < .05) than with child-only treatments (g = - 0.34, p < .05). Short-term interventions generated a smaller effect (g = - 0.37 p < .05) than either standard-term (g = - 1.02, p < .05) or long-term interventions (g = - 0.69, p < .05).Implications for children with ASD are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celal Perihan
- Department of Teaching and Education Studies, Idaho State University, 62 E Terry St, 83201, Pocatello, ID, USA.
| | - Mack Burke
- Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Lisa Bowman-Perrott
- Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ali Bicer
- School of Teacher Education, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Jennifer Gallup
- Department of Teaching and Education Studies, Idaho State University, 62 E Terry St, 83201, Pocatello, ID, USA
| | - Julie Thompson
- Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Mary Sallese
- Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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Baker HJ, Waite P. The identification and psychological treatment of panic disorder in adolescents: a survey of CAMHS clinicians. Child Adolesc Ment Health 2020; 25:135-142. [PMID: 32516502 PMCID: PMC7496854 DOI: 10.1111/camh.12372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Panic disorder is experienced by around 1% of adolescents and has a significant impact on social and academic functioning. Preliminary evidence supports the effectiveness of panic disorder-specific treatment in adolescents with panic disorder; however, panic disorder may be overlooked in adolescents due to overlapping symptoms with other anxiety disorders and other difficulties being more noticeable to others. The aim of this study was to establish what training National Health Service (NHS) Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) clinicians have received in psychological therapies and panic disorder and how they identify and treat panic disorder in adolescents. METHOD CAMHS clinicians from a range of professions (n = 427), who were delivering psychological treatments to children and adolescents with anxiety disorders, participated. They completed a cross-sectional, online survey, including a vignette describing an adolescent with panic disorder, and were asked to identify the main diagnosis or presenting problem. RESULTS Less than half the clinicians (48.6%) identified panic disorder or panic symptoms as the main presenting problem from the vignette. The majority of clinicians suggested CBT would be their treatment approach. However, few identified an evidence-based treatment protocol for working with young people with panic disorder. Almost half the sample had received no training in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), and around a fifth had received no training in delivering psychological treatments. CONCLUSIONS Only half of CAMHS clinicians identified panic disorder from a vignette and although CBT treatments are widely offered, only a minority of adolescents with panic disorder are receiving treatments developed for and evaluated with young people with panic disorder. There is a vital need for clinician training, the use of tools that aid identification and the implementation of evidence-based treatments within CAMHS. KEY PRACTITIONER MESSAGE Panic disorder affects around 1% of adolescents, adversely impacting social, academic and long-term life functioning. There is preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of a panic disorder-specific treatment of panic disorder in adolescents. Clinicians struggle to identify panic disorder or suitable treatment protocols for treating adolescents, although most would use CBT as the treatment approach. There is a vital need for clinician training, tools that aid identification of young people with panic disorder and evidence-based treatments that can be delivered in routine clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly J. Baker
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language SciencesUniversity of ReadingReadingUK
| | - Polly Waite
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language SciencesUniversity of ReadingReadingUK
- Departments of Experimental Psychology and PsychiatryUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
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McBride NM, Weinzimmer SA, La Buissonnière-Ariza V, Schneider SC, Ehrenreich May J, Lewin AB, McGuire JF, Goodman WK, Wood JJ, Storch EA. The Impact of Comorbidity on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Response in Youth with Anxiety and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2020; 51:625-635. [PMID: 32026260 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-020-00961-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The impact of externalizing comorbidity on treatment outcome was examined in 104 youth ages 7-16 (M = 11.09 years) with autism spectrum disorder and primary anxiety/obsessive compulsive disorder who completed modular cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety/OCD. Three comorbidity profiles were utilized for group comparisons: participants with oppositional defiant or conduct disorder with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ODD; CD; ADHD; group EXT, n = 25); those without ODD/CD and only ADHD (group ADHD, n = 46); and those without externalizing comorbidity (NO-EXT, n = 33). Post-treatment outcomes were measured continuously (Pediatric Anxiety Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impression-Severity) and categorically (treatment response, remission). The ADHD group was four times more likely of being a treatment responder compared to NO-EXT (OR 4.05). Comorbidity group did not impact remission. After controlling for pre-treatment scores, there was a significantly greater reduction of the CGI-S for ADHD versus NO-EXT and EXT versus NO-EXT, but results did not significantly differ for the PARS. Results suggest that a modular CBT approach yields positive impact for treatment outcomes in youth with comorbid externalizing problems, particularly among those with comorbid ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M McBride
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Saira A Weinzimmer
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Sophie C Schneider
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Adam B Lewin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Joseph F McGuire
- Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Wayne K Goodman
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Wood
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Eric A Storch
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza MS:350, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Creswell C, Waite P, Hudson J. Practitioner Review: Anxiety disorders in children and young people - assessment and treatment. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2020; 61:628-643. [PMID: 31960440 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite significant advancements in our knowledge of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, they continue to be underrecognised and undertreated. It is critical that these disorders are taken seriously in children and young people as they are highly prevalent, have a negative impact on educational, social and health functioning, create a risk of ongoing anxiety and other mental health disorders across the life span and are associated with substantial economic burden. Yet very few children with anxiety disorders access evidence-based treatments, and there is an urgent need for widespread implementation of effective interventions. This review aimed to provide an overview of recent research developments that will be relevant to clinicians and policymakers, particularly focusing on the development and maintenance of child anxiety disorders and considerations for assessment and treatment. Given the critical need to increase access to effective support, we hope this review will contribute to driving forward a step change in treatment delivery for children and young people with anxiety disorders and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathy Creswell
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Polly Waite
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Jennie Hudson
- Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Hillman K, Dix K, Ahmed K, Lietz P, Trevitt J, O'Grady E, Uljarević M, Vivanti G, Hedley D. Interventions for anxiety in mainstream school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review. CAMPBELL SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS 2020; 16:e1086. [PMID: 37131419 PMCID: PMC8356281 DOI: 10.1002/cl2.1086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kylie Hillman
- Australian Council for Educational ResearchCamberwellVictoriaAustralia
| | - Katherine Dix
- Australian Council for Educational ResearchAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Kashfee Ahmed
- Australian Council for Educational ResearchAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Petra Lietz
- Australian Council for Educational ResearchAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Jenny Trevitt
- Australian Council for Educational ResearchCamberwellVictoriaAustralia
| | - Elizabeth O'Grady
- Australian Council for Educational ResearchCamberwellVictoriaAustralia
| | - Mirko Uljarević
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Stanford Autism Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of MedicineStanford UniversityPalo AltoCalifornia
| | - Giacomo Vivanti
- A. J. Drexel Autism InstituteDornsife School of Public Health, Drexel UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
| | - Darren Hedley
- Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, School of Psychology and Public Health, College of Science, Health and EngineeringLaTrobe UniversityBundooraVictoriaAustralia
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Lake JK, Tablon Modica P, Chan V, Weiss JA. Considering efficacy and effectiveness trials of cognitive behavioral therapy among youth with autism: A systematic review. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2020; 24:1590-1606. [PMID: 32423224 DOI: 10.1177/1362361320918754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Cognitive behavioral therapy is a common treatment for emotional problems in people with autism. Most studies of cognitive behavioral therapy and autism have focused on efficacy, meaning whether a treatment produces results under "ideal" conditions, like a lab or research setting. Effectiveness trials, by contrast, investigate whether a treatment produces results under "real-world" conditions, like a community setting (e.g. hospital, community mental health center, school). There can be challenges in bringing a cognitive behavioral therapy treatment out of a lab or research setting into the community, and the field of implementation science uses frameworks to help guide researchers in this process. In this study, we reviewed efficacy and effectiveness studies of cognitive behavioral therapy treatments for emotional problems (e.g. anxiety, depression) in children and youth with autism. Our search found 2959 articles, with 33 studies meeting our criteria. In total, 13 studies were labelled as effectiveness and 20 as efficacy. We discuss how the effectiveness studies used characteristics of an implementation science framework, such as studying how individuals learn about the treatment, accept or reject it, how it is used in the community over time, and any changes that happened to the individual or the organization (e.g. hospital, school, community mental health center) because of it. Results help us better understand the use of cognitive behavioral therapy in the community, including how a framework can be used to improve effectiveness studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna K Lake
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Canada.,University of Toronto, Canada
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Slaughter AM, McNeel MM, Storch EA, Mire SS. Where should we go from here? Identified gaps in the literature in psychosocial interventions for youth with autism spectrum disorder and comorbid anxiety. CHILDRENS HEALTH CARE 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/02739615.2020.1756818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M. Slaughter
- Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Morgan M. McNeel
- Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eric A. Storch
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sarah S. Mire
- Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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Solish A, Klemencic N, Ritzema A, Nolan V, Pilkington M, Anagnostou E, Brian J. Effectiveness of a modified group cognitive behavioral therapy program for anxiety in children with ASD delivered in a community context. Mol Autism 2020; 11:34. [PMID: 32404180 PMCID: PMC7218559 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00341-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience high rates (approximately 50–79%) of comorbid anxiety problems. Given the significant interference and distress that excessive anxiety can cause, evidence-based intervention is necessary in order to reduce long-term negative effects. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has demonstrated efficacy for treating anxiety disorders across the lifespan, both in individual and group formats. Recently, modified CBT programs for youth with ASD have been developed, showing positive outcomes. To date, these modified CBT programs have primarily been evaluated in controlled research settings. Methods The current community effectiveness study investigated the effectiveness of a modified group CBT program (Facing Your Fears) delivered in a tertiary care hospital and across six community-based agencies providing services for youth with ASD. Data were collected over six years (N = 105 youth with ASD; ages 6–15 years). Results Hospital and community samples did not differ significantly, except in terms of age (hospital M = 10.08 years; community M = 10.87 years). Results indicated significant improvements in anxiety levels from baseline to post-treatment across measures, with medium effect sizes. An attempt to uncover individual characteristics that predict response to treatment was unsuccessful. Conclusions Overall, this study demonstrated that community implementation of a modified group CBT program for youth with ASD is feasible and effective for treating elevated anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbie Solish
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Autism Research Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nora Klemencic
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Child Development Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anne Ritzema
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Lighthouse Child & Adolescent Psychology, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Vicki Nolan
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Evdokia Anagnostou
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Autism Research Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jessica Brian
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Autism Research Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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33
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Sigurvinsdóttir AL, Jensínudóttir KB, Baldvinsdóttir KD, Smárason O, Skarphedinsson G. Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for child and adolescent anxiety disorders across different CBT modalities and comparisons: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nord J Psychiatry 2020; 74:168-180. [PMID: 31738631 DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2019.1686653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Aim: Pediatric Anxiety Disorders (AD) are common. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of two first-line treatments of youth AD and it has previously been shown to be superior to wait-list but not placebo therapy. This study consists of a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to assess the efficacy of CBT modalities in comparison to control contingencies for pediatric anxiety disorders.Methods: Studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials, and if CBT was manualized or modular, alone or in combination with medication. CBT was required to include behavioral treatment, exposure treatment, or cognitive elements. Eligible studies included participants aged 18 years or younger.Results: Eighty-one studies were included, with 3386 CBT participants and 2527 control participants. The overall results indicated that CBT is an effective treatment for childhood AD. The results showed that individual-based CBT is superior to wait-list and attention control. Group-based CBT is superior to wait-list control and treatment as usual. Remote-based CBT was superior to attention control and wait-list control. Family-based CBT was superior to treatment as usual, wait-list control, and attention control. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were no more effective than individual-based CBT. Combination treatment was, however, more effective than individual-based CBT.Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, no meta-analysis has thus far disentangled the effects of CBT modalities across various comparisons. This meta-analysis hence provides an important update to the literature on the efficacy of CBT for treating anxiety disorders in young people.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Orri Smárason
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.,Landspitali - the National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
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Bossenbroek R, Wols A, Weerdmeester J, Lichtwarck-Aschoff A, Granic I, van Rooij MMJW. Efficacy of a Virtual Reality Biofeedback Game (DEEP) to Reduce Anxiety and Disruptive Classroom Behavior: Single-Case Study. JMIR Ment Health 2020; 7:e16066. [PMID: 32207697 PMCID: PMC7139423 DOI: 10.2196/16066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many adolescents in special education are affected by anxiety in addition to their behavioral problems. Anxiety leads to substantial long-term problems and may underlie disruptive behaviors in the classroom as a result of the individual's inability to tolerate anxiety-provoking situations. Thus, interventions in special needs schools that help adolescents cope with anxiety and, in turn, diminish disruptive classroom behaviors are needed. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a virtual reality biofeedback game, DEEP, on daily levels of state-anxiety and disruptive classroom behavior in a clinical sample. In addition, the study also aimed to examine the duration of the calm or relaxed state after playing DEEP. METHODS A total of 8 adolescents attending a special secondary school for students with behavioral and psychiatric problems participated in a single-case experimental ABAB study. Over a 4-week period, participants completed 6 DEEP sessions. In addition, momentary assessments (ie, 3 times a day) of self-reported state-anxiety and teacher-reported classroom behavior were collected throughout all A and B phases. RESULTS From analyzing the individual profiles, it was found that 6 participants showed reductions in anxiety, and 5 participants showed reductions in disruptive classroom behaviors after the introduction of DEEP. On a group level, results showed a small but significant reduction of anxiety (d=-0.29) and a small, nonsignificant reduction of disruptive classroom behavior (d=-0.16) on days when participants played DEEP. Moreover, it was found that the calm or relaxed state of participants after playing DEEP lasted for about 2 hours on average. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the potential of the game, DEEP, as an intervention for anxiety and disruptive classroom behavior in a special school setting. Future research is needed to fully optimize and personalize DEEP as an intervention for the heterogeneous special school population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rineke Bossenbroek
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Aniek Wols
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Isabela Granic
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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Kim SK, McKay D, Ehrenreich-May J, Wood J, Storch EA. Assessing treatment efficacy by examining relationships between age groups of children with autism spectrum disorder and clinical anxiety symptoms: Prediction by correspondence analysis. J Affect Disord 2020; 265:645-650. [PMID: 31787421 PMCID: PMC7042046 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.11.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental in nature and are frequently accompanied by anxiety. To fully assess treatment efficacy, we examined rates of anxiety symptom change by age groups following either cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or treatment as usual (TAU). METHODS One hundred sixty-three children with ASD and ASD-related anxiety symptoms were randomly assigned to either CBT or TAU. Utilizing prediction by correspondence analysis (CA), we evaluated the age effect (defined in three groups; ages 6-9, 10-12, and 13-16) and the changes in correlations between age and anxiety severity levels over the course of treatment. RESULTS Significantly greater anxiety symptom reduction was associated with CBT compared with TAU across the three age groups. Of particular note, the children ages 10-12 who received CBT showed the greatest improvement compared to all other groups. Late childhood, prior to adolescence, showed the best response to CBT for anxiety in ASD. DISCUSSION These findings suggest that treatment programs need to more closely address developmental factors within narrower bands of age groups. The present results are limited in their generalization to the CBT efficacy for a specific age band (ages 10-12). Longitudinal investigations are recommended to confirm whether the similar age group children who receive CBT experience the greatest benefit in reducing their ASD-related anxiety symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se-Kang Kim
- Fordham University, New York City, NY, United States.
| | | | | | - Jeffery Wood
- University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Eric A Storch
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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36
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Family-Centered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety in Very Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 50:3905-3920. [PMID: 32146598 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04446-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Carlier S, Van der Paelt S, Ongenae F, De Backere F, De Turck F. Empowering Children with ASD and Their Parents: Design of a Serious Game for Anxiety and Stress Reduction. SENSORS 2020; 20:s20040966. [PMID: 32054025 PMCID: PMC7070716 DOI: 10.3390/s20040966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by social interaction difficulties and communication difficulties. Moreover, children with ASD often suffer from other co-morbidities, such as anxiety and depression. Finding appropriate treatment can be difficult as symptoms of ASD and co-morbidities often overlap. Due to these challenges, parents of children with ASD often suffer from higher levels of stress. This research aims to investigate the feasibility of empowering children with ASD and their parents through the use of a serious game to reduce stress and anxiety and a supporting parent application. The New Horizon game and the SpaceControl application were developed together with therapists and according to guidelines for e-health patient empowerment. The game incorporates two mini-games with relaxation techniques. The performance of the game was analyzed and usability studies with three families were conducted. Parents and children were asked to fill in the Spence’s Children Anxiety Scale (SCAS) and Spence Children Anxiety Scale-Parents (SCAS-P) anxiety scale. The game shows potential for stress and anxiety reduction in children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Carlier
- IDLab, iGent Tower—Department of Information Technology, Ghent University—imec, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 126, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Correspondence:
| | - Sara Van der Paelt
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Femke Ongenae
- IDLab, iGent Tower—Department of Information Technology, Ghent University—imec, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 126, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Femke De Backere
- IDLab, iGent Tower—Department of Information Technology, Ghent University—imec, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 126, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Filip De Turck
- IDLab, iGent Tower—Department of Information Technology, Ghent University—imec, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 126, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
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Ehrenreich-May J, Simpson G, Stewart LM, Kennedy SM, Rowley AN, Beaumont A, Alessandri M, Storch EA, Laugeson EA, Frankel FD, Wood JJ. Treatment of anxiety in older adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders: A pilot study. Bull Menninger Clin 2020; 84:105-136. [PMID: 31967511 DOI: 10.1521/bumc_2020_84_03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are commonly comorbid in adolescents and young adults with high-functioning autism. Cognitive-behavioral treatments (CBT) for anxiety, when adapted and expanded to target autism spectrum disorder (ASD) characteristics, may be beneficial, but there is minimal evidence to guide clinicians in their application. This multiple-baseline design study evaluated the initial efficacy of a CBT protocol adapted to address anxiety symptoms and adaptive functioning in this population. Anxiety and ASD symptoms were assessed for six participants at intake, after baseline, posttreatment, and at 1-month follow-up. Parent- and child-reported anxiety was also assessed during baseline and treatment. Visual inspection and reliable change index scores were used to evaluate change. All participants improved on clinician-rated measures of disorder severity, and gains were maintained at follow-up. Results were more equivocal for parent- and self-rated anxiety and parent-rated ASD, partly because of spontaneous changes during baseline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill Ehrenreich-May
- Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida
| | - Gregory Simpson
- Clinical psychologist, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Sarah M Kennedy
- Assistant professor, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Amelia N Rowley
- Clinical psychologist, Boston Child Study Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Amy Beaumont
- Director of Social Services, Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida
| | - Michael Alessandri
- Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida
| | - Eric A Storch
- Senior faculty member, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Elizabeth A Laugeson
- Associate clinical professor, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Los Angeles, California
| | - Frederick D Frankel
- Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jeffrey J Wood
- Associate professor, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Los Angeles, California
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Toscano R, Baillie AJ, Lyneham HJ, Kelly A, Kidd T, Hudson JL. Assessment of anxiety in children and adolescents: A comparative study on the validity and reliability of the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale in children and adolescents with anxiety and Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Affect Disord 2020; 260:569-576. [PMID: 31539694 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.09.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present study assessed the utility of the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale - Parent Form (SCAS-P) across parents of children with (i) anxiety and (ii) Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). METHOD Parents of children aged 7-18 years with anxiety or ASD completed the SCAS-P. Multiple indicator multiple cause (MIMIC) structural equation modelling was utilized to analyse the data. RESULTS Analysis revealed different factor structures between the Anxious and ASD groups and evidence for measurement variance across groups in some parts of the SCAS-P. CONCLUSION Results on the SCAS-P in children with ASD need to be interpreted with caution. Some SCAS-P items cannot be interpreted in the same way in an ASD population compared to neurotypical children with anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramona Toscano
- Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109 Australia
| | - Andrew J Baillie
- Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109 Australia
| | - Heidi J Lyneham
- Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109 Australia
| | - Anna Kelly
- Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109 Australia
| | - Theresa Kidd
- Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109 Australia
| | - Jennifer L Hudson
- Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109 Australia.
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Peterson JL, Earl R, Fox EA, Ma R, Haidar G, Pepper M, Berliner L, Wallace A, Bernier R. Trauma and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Review, Proposed Treatment Adaptations and Future Directions. JOURNAL OF CHILD & ADOLESCENT TRAUMA 2019; 12:529-547. [PMID: 31819782 PMCID: PMC6901292 DOI: 10.1007/s40653-019-00253-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Empirical investigations of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are lacking despite indications of increased risk for exposure to potentially traumatic events in this population. Research on the treatment of traumatic stress psychopathology in ASD is even more limited and suggests a critical need for guidance in the area of ASD-specific treatment adaptations. The current paper provides preliminary recommendations for adapting current evidenced-based, trauma-specific interventions, specifically trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), for individuals with ASD based on well-established and evidence-based practices for working with this population. These adaptations highlight the need to incorporate treatment goals related to ASD core symptoms and associated characteristics during treatment targeting traumatic stress symptoms. Future directions are discussed, including the development of instruments measuring trauma reactions in ASD, empirical investigations of modified trauma interventions for children with ASD to evaluate effectiveness, and collaboration between professionals specializing in ASD and trauma/PTSD to advance research and facilitate effective care for this community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Peterson
- Seattle Children's Autism Center, , 4909 25th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105, M/S CAC, PO Box 5371, Seattle, WA 98145-5005
| | - Rachel Earl
- University of Washington, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences / Seattle Children's Hospital
| | - Emily A Fox
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA / Seattle Children's Hospital, M/S CAC PO Box 5371, 508.851.0996
| | - Ruqian Ma
- University of Washington College of Education and Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, CHDD Box 357920, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Ghina Haidar
- University of Washington College of Education & Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, CHDD Box 357920, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Micah Pepper
- University of Washington Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, CHDD Box 357920, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Lucy Berliner
- University of Washington Medicine, Mailing Address: 325 Ninth Avenue, MS 359947 Seattle, WA 98104, 206 744-1600 (main line)
| | - Arianne Wallace
- University of Washington Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, CHDD Box 357920, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Raphael Bernier
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, ,
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Burnham Riosa P, Khan M, Weiss JA. Measuring therapeutic alliance in children with autism during cognitive behavior therapy. Clin Psychol Psychother 2019; 26:761-767. [PMID: 31614045 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic alliance (TA), or the collaborative relationship between a therapist and client, has been shown to be an important component of intervention success. The objective of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Therapy Process Observational Coding System-Alliance Scale (TPOCS-A). The sample consisted of 20 children (19 males) ages 8 to 12 years with autism and their parents (15 mothers, 5 fathers), who completed a cognitive-behavioural intervention designed to improve children's emotion regulation skills. Two trained coders rated early, middle, and late parent and child alliance using the TPOCS-A after watching video recorded therapy sessions. Therapist-reported child involvement, alliance, and adherence were also assessed. Psychometric findings revealed that the TPOCS-A is a reliable and valid measure of therapeutic alliance for children with autism. The implications of examining TA in empirically supported treatments for this population are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla Burnham Riosa
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Applied Disability Studies, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Maria Khan
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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42
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Ireri NW, White SW, Mbwayo AW. Treating Anxiety and Social Deficits in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Two Schools in Nairobi, Kenya. J Autism Dev Disord 2019; 49:3309-3315. [PMID: 31093801 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-04045-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) contributes to their functional impairment. We evaluated a cognitive-behavioral program for anxiety and social deficits in children with ASD in two schools in Nairobi City, Kenya. Parents and teachers of 40 children and adolescents with ASD (5-21 years) participated, randomized by school. The two schools were randomly assigned to either intervention (n = 20) or control (n = 20). There was a significant improvement in ASD severity as well as anxiety within the treatment group, which was not seen in the control group. These findings support the expansion of treatments for ASD core deficits and secondary problems in youth with ASD in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niceta W Ireri
- Department of Psychology, School of Education, Africa International University, Nairobi, 18437-00100, Kenya.
| | - Susan W White
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, USA
| | - Anne W Mbwayo
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
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43
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Hunsche MC, Kerns CM. Update on the effectiveness of psychotherapy for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents with ASD. Bull Menninger Clin 2019; 83:326-352. [DOI: 10.1521/bumc.2019.83.3.326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A growing body of research has examined the efficacy of varying formats (individual, group, linear, modular) of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as a treatment for anxiety disorders in children and youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The present review utilized Chambless and Hollon's (1998) criteria for efficacious treatments to: (1) critically review the current evidence base for the efficacy of CBT for anxiety disorders in ASD; and (2) provide recommendations for future research. Findings identify two probably efficacious CBT programs (one group and one individual program) and five possibly efficacious programs, but no well-established programs. Similarities and differences in the components of these programs, which range from unmodified to specifically developed for ASD populations, are highlighted. In addition, the steps required to demonstrate well-established efficacy, and ultimately effectiveness, are discussed alongside other recommendations for refined future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Connor M. Kerns
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Rezae M, McMeekin D, Tan T, Krishna A, Lee H, Falkmer T. Public transport planning tool for users on the autism spectrum: from concept to prototype. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol 2019; 16:177-187. [PMID: 31381860 DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2019.1646818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This research explored the challenges of public transport use for individuals on the autism spectrum. It, subsequently, proposed a mobile application solution, coproduced by individuals on the autism spectrum, to facilitate public transport use. METHODS We, first, conducted a review of the literature to highlight the challenges people on the autism spectrum face when utilizing public transport. We, then, designed a list of mobile application functionalities that address the identified problems. To validate these functionalities, 27 young autistic adults and 19 families of autistic individuals were employed. Finally, based on the findings, we designed a mobile application that helps facilitate public transport use for those on the autism spectrum. RESULTS We found that the most prevalent concerns, in public transport use, amongst autistic individuals and their families are safety and spatial awareness. Specific problems include finding one's way to the bus stop, boarding the correct service and disembarking at the correct stop. Interestingly, anxiety about unexpected events was also a barrier. Sensory sensitivity, similarly, was found to be an obstacle. CONCLUSIONS This study defined the challenges of public transport use for autistic individuals and proposed a technological solution. The findings can also inform innovators, public transport providers and policymakers to improve public transport accessibility.Implications for rehabilitationPeople on the autism spectrum heavily rely on other individuals, namely family and friends, for their transportation needs. This dependence results in immobility for the autistic individuals and significant time and economical sacrifice for the person responsible for the transportation.Public transport, a cheap and widely available form of transportation, has not yet been clearly studied with individuals on the autism spectrum.We clearly define the challenges of using public transport and put forward a trip planner mobile application, coproduced by autistic individuals, that facilitate it.In the long term, this enhanced travel independence can lead to greater education and employment opportunities and an overall improved quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mortaza Rezae
- Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism, Brisbane, Australia.,School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - David McMeekin
- Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism, Brisbane, Australia.,School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Tele Tan
- Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism, Brisbane, Australia.,School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Aneesh Krishna
- School of Electrical Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Hoe Lee
- Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism, Brisbane, Australia.,School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Torbjorn Falkmer
- Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism, Brisbane, Australia.,School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
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45
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Brown CE, Borduin CM, Dopp AR, Mazurek MO. The social ecology of aggression in youths with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2019; 12:1636-1647. [PMID: 31206256 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the social-ecological correlates of aggressive behavior in 120 youths with autism spectrum disorder. Youths were divided into three groups based on caregiver reports of the youth's aggressive acts: youths who engaged in acts of both physical and verbal aggression, youths who engaged only in acts of physical aggression, and nonaggressive youths. Caregivers and youths completed self-report instruments and behavior rating inventories that assessed youth individual functioning, family relations, and extrafamilial factors (i.e., peer relations, academic performance). Results showed that youths who engaged in both verbal and physical aggression were characterized by poor sleep quality and victimization by peers, and their caregivers evidenced high levels of distress and avoidant coping. In contrast, youths who were physically but not verbally aggressive were distinguished by difficulties in social interaction and communication. In general, each group of youths who were aggressive experienced more problems with repetitive behaviors, family relations, and academic performance than did their nonaggressive counterparts. The implications of these findings for theory, research, and treatment are discussed. Autism Res 2019. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: The present study demonstrated that youths with autism spectrum disorder may be classified by the types of aggressive behaviors that they exhibit: youths who are verbally and physically aggressive, physically aggressive only, or not aggressive. Compared to the nonaggressive group, both groups of youths who were aggressive experienced difficulties in their individual, family, peer, and academic functioning. Youths with both verbal and physical aggression showed the most problems in their functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alex R Dopp
- University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
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46
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Nnamani A, Akabogu J, Otu MS, Ukoha E, Uloh-Bethels AC, Omile JC, Obiezu MN, Dike AE, Ike CV, Iyekekpolor OM. Cognitive behaviour language therapy for speech anxiety among stuttering school adolescents. J Int Med Res 2019; 47:3109-3114. [PMID: 31154887 PMCID: PMC6683914 DOI: 10.1177/0300060519853387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To determine the effectiveness of a cognitive behaviour language therapy (CBLT) programme to reduce speech anxiety among stuttering school adolescents. Methods This was a group randomized clinical trial that enrolled stuttering school adolescents who had severe speech anxiety. The participants were randomized to either the treatment group or the control group. The Speech Anxiety Thoughts Inventory (SATI) score was recorded before and after a 12-week CBLT programme was delivered in 24 group sessions to the treatment group. The control group did not receive any therapy. Results A total of 92 stuttering school adolescents who met the inclusion criteria were randomized to the treatment group (n = 46; 22 males, 24 females; mean ± SD age, 16.36 ± 2.20 years) or the control group (n = 46; 28 males, 18 females; mean ± SD age, 15.45 ± 2.10 years). Results showed that the CBLT intervention significantly reduced speech anxiety among stuttering school adolescents compared with the control group (post-test SATI assessment, mean ± SD 26.52 ± 1.67 versus 89.92 ± 3.17, respectively). Conclusion These findings suggest that speech educators and therapists in educational institutions and hospitals should follow the principles of CBLT when treating speech anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amuche Nnamani
- 1 Department of Arts Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Josephine Akabogu
- 1 Department of Arts Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | | | - Evelyn Ukoha
- 1 Department of Arts Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | | | - Jacinta Chinwe Omile
- 3 Department of English and Literary Studies, Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Nigeria
| | - Maureen Nnenna Obiezu
- 3 Department of English and Literary Studies, Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Nigeria
| | - Anastasia E Dike
- 1 Department of Arts Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Chioma Vivian Ike
- 4 Department of English and Literary Studies, Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, Nigeria
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47
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Stack A, Lucyshyn J. Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Experience of Traumatic Events: Review of the Current Literature to Inform Modifications to a Treatment Model for Children with Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 2019; 49:1613-1625. [PMID: 30539370 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3854-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Children with autism incur trauma and have increased vulnerabilities for experiencing trauma. This paper summarizes the current literature in the study of trauma in typically developing children and those with autism. A treatment model for children with autism, drawing on components from cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), trauma-focused CBT, and CBT to teach emotion regulation and treat anxiety in children with autism is suggested. Components include: (a) Functional Behavior Assessment; (b) behavior plans and behavioral skills training; (c) teaching emotion regulation; (d) exposure therapy; (e) cognitive restructuring; (f) parent and child support between sessions; (g) safety plan; and (h) programming for generalization and maintenance. Future research should establish evidence-based treatment of trauma in this population by evaluating the modified treatment package.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Stack
- A Block Above Behavioral Consulting, 3185 Sunnyhurst Rd., North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2G4, Canada.
| | - Joseph Lucyshyn
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia, 2125 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
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Group-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety Disorder in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a feasibility study. Nord J Psychiatry 2019; 73:273-280. [PMID: 31156001 DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2019.1622153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes core symptoms that affect general and social development. High risk of developing comorbid disorders such as anxiety is prominent. Up to 60% of children with ASD suffer from anxiety disorders which can negatively influence educational, social and general development together with quality of life. This study is the first to investigate the feasibility of the manualised cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) group programme 'Cool Kids ASD' for anxiety adapted for children with ASD in a general hospital setting. Methods: Nine children, aged 9-13 years, with ASD and anxiety recruited from a public child psychiatric health clinic were enrolled in the study. Outcome measures were collected from both child and parent pre- and post-treatment and at 3-month follow-up and included scores from a semi-structured anxiety interview, together with questionnaires on anxiety symptoms, life interference, children's automatic thoughts and satisfaction with the programme. Results: Eight out of nine families found the programme useful and would recommend it to other families in a similar situation. Six families attended all 12 sessions in the programme, two missed one session and one family only managed to attend eight sessions. At follow-up, five children were free of all anxiety diagnoses and a further two out of the nine children no longer met the criteria for their primary anxiety diagnosis. Conclusions: This study suggests that the transition of the group programme 'Cool Kids ASD' from University Clinics to standard child psychiatric clinical settings is feasible. Further randomised studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of the programme in a larger sample.
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49
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Higgins E, Slattery C, Perry JL, O'Shea J. An evaluation of a group CBT programme for children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in a school age disability service. EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY IN PRACTICE 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/02667363.2018.1527293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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50
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Gobrial E, Raghavan R. Calm child programme: Parental programme for anxiety in children and young people with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities. JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES : JOID 2018; 22:315-327. [PMID: 28425373 DOI: 10.1177/1744629517704536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disabilities (IDs) are more vulnerable to experiencing anxiety disorders. Parental involvement in intervention is crucial for successful management of the interventions in the population of people with ASDs. This article describes the design and evaluation of parenting programme for anxiety disorders in children and young people with ASD and ID. In phase 1 semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore management strategies for anxiety at home and in school settings. A total of 34 participants (14 parents, 20 teachers) participated in the interviews. A Delphi process was conducted with health professionals to develop consensus on appropriate anxiety interventions. In phase 2 the intervention programme was implemented by seven parents who also participated in focus group to evaluate the developed programme. A parental programme, calm child programme (CCP), was developed, implemented and evaluated. The evaluations show significant decrease in children's anxiety as a result of implementing the programme. This study contributes further evidence to parental involvement in interventions for children and young people with ASD and IDs. The CCP is a useful and cost-effective approach in enabling parents to provide anxiety interventions in a home setting.
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