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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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Pickard K, Maddox B, Boles R, Reaven J. A cluster randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of two school-based interventions for autistic youth with anxiety. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:6. [PMID: 38166851 PMCID: PMC10763300 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05441-0] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent systematic reviews have indicated that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in reducing anxiety symptoms for autistic and non-autistic children. However, the vast majority of CBT research for autistic youth has been implemented within university settings and primarily by mental health providers. Schools hold great promise to equitably manage the mental health symptoms of autistic youth. Although preliminary research evaluating CBT within schools has been promising, CBT has not yet been compared to another readily available school mental health program. The goal of this protocol paper is to describe a multi-site study comparing two school-based interventions, Facing Your Fears-School Based (FYF-SB) and Zones of Regulation (ZOR) via a cluster randomized controlled type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial to determine which of the two interventions will best support autistic youth with anxiety in schools. METHODS Up to 100 elementary and middle schools will be randomized into FYF-SB or ZOR. Once schools are randomized, a minimum of two interdisciplinary school providers at each school will be trained to deliver either FYF-SB or ZOR over the course of 12 weeks to groups of 2-5 autistic students ages 8-14 years. Over the course of two years, a total of 200 autistic students will receive either ZOR or FYF-SB. The primary outcome of this trial is child anxiety, as rated by masked evaluators and via caregiver- and student-report, which will be measured at baseline, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up. Semi-structured interviews will also be conducted with a purposive sample of students, caregivers, and school providers to understand the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of either ZOR or FYF-SB. Stakeholder engagement is a central component of this project via two stakeholder advisory boards that will directly inform and oversee the project. DISCUSSION Results of this study will provide evidence about the relative impact of two school-based mental health interventions on outcomes reported as meaningful by caregivers and school providers. The additional focus on evaluating factors that support the implementation of FYF-SB and ZOR will allow future studies to test targeted implementation strategies that support mental health programming uptake and implementation within public schools. TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial is registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05863520).
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Pickard
- Emory School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, Division of Autism and Related Disabilities, 1920 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
| | - Brenna Maddox
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Richard Boles
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, JFK Partners, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Judy Reaven
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, JFK Partners, Aurora, CO, USA
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Morales-Hidalgo P, Voltas-Moreso N, Hernández-Martínez C, Canals-Sans J. Emotional problems in preschool and school-aged children with neurodevelopmental disorders in Spain: EPINED epidemiological project. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2023; 135:104454. [PMID: 36804709 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2023.104454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) are often at risk of developing emotional problems. AIMS AND METHODS The co-occurrence of anxiety and depression with ASD and/or ADHD was determined by exploring the association with children's clinical and neuropsychological functioning and their parent's mental health. To this end, we assessed 295 preschoolers (PRE; 4-5 years old) and 486 school-aged children (SCH; 10-11 years old) in Tarragona, Spain. NDD diagnoses were based on DSM-5. Emotional problems were assessed using Achenbach's scales. RESULTS Emotional problems (PRE: 36%-78%; SCH: 32%-81%) were more common and more severe in participants with NDD than in controls and children in the ASD + ADHD school-aged group were the most affected. In ADHD, emotional problems were associated with more severe symptoms of attention deficit (PRE) and hyperactivity/impulsivity (SCH). In ASD + ADHD, emotional problems showed a trend of association with more severe ASD repetitive behaviours and impaired working memory, whereas in ASD were associated with greater overall ASD severity. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Children with NDD are vulnerable to emotional problems, which become more prevalent and interfering with age. Early detection and intervention aimed at tackling emotional problems can improve NDD prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Morales-Hidalgo
- Research Group on Nutrition and Mental Health (NUTRISAM), Research Center for Behavioral Assessment (CRAMC), Department of Psychology, University Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain; Psychology and Education Studies, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Barcelona, Spain; Interdisciplinary Research Network for the PROmotion of Mental Health and Wellness EMocional in Young People (Red PROEM), Spain
| | - Núria Voltas-Moreso
- Research Group on Nutrition and Mental Health (NUTRISAM), Research Center for Behavioral Assessment (CRAMC), Department of Psychology, University Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain; Interdisciplinary Research Network for the PROmotion of Mental Health and Wellness EMocional in Young People (Red PROEM), Spain; Serra Húnter Fellow, University Rovira i Virgili, Spain
| | - Carmen Hernández-Martínez
- Research Group on Nutrition and Mental Health (NUTRISAM), Research Center for Behavioral Assessment (CRAMC), Department of Psychology, University Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Josefa Canals-Sans
- Research Group on Nutrition and Mental Health (NUTRISAM), Research Center for Behavioral Assessment (CRAMC), Department of Psychology, University Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain; Interdisciplinary Research Network for the PROmotion of Mental Health and Wellness EMocional in Young People (Red PROEM), Spain.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To summarize recent findings regarding anxiety and trauma-related disorders in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (autism), focusing on the distinct ways in which these conditions may be expressed, as well as advances in evidence-based assessment and treatment. RECENT FINDINGS Current findings suggest both anxiety and trauma-related disorders may be more prevalent, yet more complicated to address in autistic relative to non-autistic children. Overlapping symptoms and distinct manifestations of these disorders pose challenges for the accurate identification, assessment, and treatment of anxiety and trauma-related disorders in autistic children. Emerging evidence recommends adapting traditional assessment and treatment approaches to better meet the needs of autistic children. Recent research suggests autism-centered conceptualizations, which accommodate complexity in how anxiety and trauma-related disorders are experienced and expressed by autistic people, are needed to enhance the psychiatric care of this population.
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Pickard K, Meyer A, Reyes N, Tanda T, Reaven J. Using evaluative frameworks to examine the implementation outcomes of a cognitive behavioral therapy program for autistic students with anxiety within public school settings. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2021; 26:640-653. [PMID: 34961348 DOI: 10.1177/13623613211065797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Cognitive behavioral therapy helps to treat anxiety symptoms in autistic youth, but it is difficult for families to access cognitive behavioral therapy in the community. Training school providers to deliver cognitive behavioral therapy may help autistic youth and their families to access these programs. Unfortunately, we do not know how cognitive behavioral therapy programs can be delivered by school providers and how these programs help the autistic students who access them. This study addressed this gap and was part of a larger study that looked at the effectiveness of Facing Your Fears-School-Based in 25 public schools. The study goals were to understand whether Facing Your Fears-School-Based helped students and the factors that made it easy or difficult to deliver Facing Your Fears-School-Based in schools. Thirty providers participated in interviews guided by the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance framework. Participants shared information that fell into several major categories that included (1) delivering Facing Your Fears-School-Based to many different students; (2) the positive impact of Facing Your Fears-School-Based on students' school participation; and (3) plans to continue using Facing Your Fears-School-Based. School providers also shared that Facing Your Fears-School-Based was easy to use for non-mental health providers and reported adapting Facing Your Fears-School-Based to meet student needs. The results of this study suggest that Facing Your Fears-School-Based may help autistic students and highlight the importance of using mental health programs in schools that are flexible, able to be adapted, and that are able to be used by many different types of school providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Pickard
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, USA.,Emory School of Medicine, USA
| | | | - Nuri Reyes
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, USA
| | - Tanea Tanda
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, USA
| | - Judy Reaven
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, USA
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Odom SL, Hall LJ, Morin KL, Kraemer BR, Hume KA, McIntyre NS, Nowell SW, Steinbrenner JR, Tomaszewski B, Sam AM, DaWalt L. Educational Interventions for Children and Youth with Autism: A 40-Year Perspective. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 51:4354-4369. [PMID: 33866461 PMCID: PMC8531076 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-04990-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Commemorating the 40 th anniversary of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) III, the purpose of this commentary is to describe school-based and school-relevant interventions and instructional approaches for children and youth with autism that have been developed and employed during that time period. The commentary begins with a brief description of foundational research that provides an historical context. Research themes shaped by science, ethics, social policy, and the changes in the DSM provide an organization for describing the evolution of intervention and instructional practices over the four previous decades. The commentary concludes with a discussion of school-contextual variables that influence implementation and the promise of the "iSciences" for closing the research to practice gap in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel L Odom
- University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
- Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB 8040, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-8040, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Kara A Hume
- University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Sallie W Nowell
- University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | | | - Ann M Sam
- University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Hugh ML, Ahlers K, Joshi M, Locke J. School-Implemented Interventions for Preschool to High School Students with Autism: An Update on Recent Research. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2021; 23:54. [PMID: 34247293 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-021-01266-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the recent research (2016-2021) that evaluates the effectiveness of school-implemented interventions for students with autism (3-21 years old) from preschool to high school. RECENT FINDINGS Overall, the recent literature demonstrated that there are EBPs that help students with autism acquire a variety of skills across domains (academic, social communication). Though many educators and peers were able to achieve high-fidelity implementation, there remains variable fidelity of intervention use in some studies. Though there is some evidence that educators and peers can successfully implement interventions, there are additional focal areas that are missing from the literature that are needed in schools (e.g., mental health, vocational). Future research should leverage implementation science approaches to support the use of proven efficacious interventions in schools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria L Hugh
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, 6200 NE 74th St, Bldg. 29, St. 100, Seattle, WA, 98115, USA.
| | - Kaitlyn Ahlers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, 6200 NE 74th St, Bldg. 29, St. 100, Seattle, WA, 98115, USA
| | - Mahima Joshi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, 6200 NE 74th St, Bldg. 29, St. 100, Seattle, WA, 98115, USA
| | - Jill Locke
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, 6200 NE 74th St, Bldg. 29, St. 100, Seattle, WA, 98115, USA
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