Specific Phobia, Fear, and the Autism Spectrum in Children and Adolescents: Adapting OST for ASD

Fears and phobias are a common mental health concern for youth, and particularly for autistic youth. The following review briefly summarizes the extant literature on specific phobias and specific phobias in autistic youth. The evidence base is briefly highlighted pointing to the strong base behind behavioral and cognitive-behavioral treatments and techniques. A broad discussion of key evidence-based treatment findings is presented, leading up to the impactful work of Thomas H. Ollendick in researching Öst's One-Session Treatment (OST) with children and adolescents. OST for child specific phobias is discussed, and particular emphasis is given to this treatment's ongoing adaptation for use with youth on the autism spectrum.

One-Session Treatment of Specific Phobias in Children: Recent Developments and a Systematic Review

One-Session Treatment is a well-established evidence-based treatment for specific phobias in youths that incorporates reinforcement, cognitive challenges, participant modeling, psychoeducation, and skills training into a single, massed session of graduated exposure. This review begins by briefly examining the phenomenology, etiology, epidemiology, and assessment of specific phobias and then pivots to a description of One-Session Treatment. We examine the use of One-Session Treatment with children and adolescents, briefly discussing its components and application, and subsequently review almost two decades of research supporting its efficacy. Finally, we propose future directions for research and practice.

The Effects of a Brief Behavioral Intervention on Food Refusal in a Child With a Fear of Choking

This study examined the effects of an exposure-based behavioral treatment on food refusal in a 4-year-old girl who developed a fear of choking after an acute choking episode. Prior to treatment, the child had stopped eating almost all solid foods for 3 months and was primarily consuming a chocolate-flavored pediatric formula. Treatment occurred across the span of 2 weeks and took place at a pediatric feeding program. At the end of treatment, the child accepted over 30 new foods and was no longer dependent on a pediatric formula to meet her nutritional needs.