Abstract
BackgroundAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is found in approximately 1% of the population and includes core symptoms that affect general and social development. Beside these core symptoms, it is suggested that up to 60% of children with ASD suffer from comorbid anxiety disorders which may further affect educational, social and general development as well as quality of life. The main goal of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a manualized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) anxiety program adapted for children with ASD.MethodsThis study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Fifty children with ASD and anxiety, aged 7 to 13 years, will be randomly assigned to group CBT or a wait-list control (WL) condition. The design will follow a two (CBT and WL) by two (pre–post assessment) mixed between–within design. The control group will receive intervention after the waitlist period of 13 weeks. Primary outcomes are diagnostic status and severity of the anxiety disorders, measured with The Anxiety Disorder Interview Schedule for DSM-IV, Parent and Child Versions. Secondary outcomes are parent and child ratings on questionnaires on the child’s level of anxiety and impact on everyday life. Additional outcomes entail information gathered from parents, child and teachers on the child’s behavior and negative self-statements, together with social and adaptive skills. Follow-up data will be collected 3 months after intervention.DiscussionThis study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a manualized CBT program in Danish children with ASD and anxiety within a mental health clinic setting. The hypothesis is that training anxiety reduction skills will decrease anxiety in children, as well as ensure better psychosocial development for the child in general.Trial registrationhttps://ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02908321). Registered 19th of September 2016.
Highlights
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is found in approximately 1% of the population and includes core symptoms that affect general and social development
The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of a manualized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program for anxiety disorders adapted for children with ASD within a mental health clinic setting using a wait-list controlled design
Study design This study examines the effectiveness of a manualized CBT program using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design allocating children to either treatment or a waitlist (WL) control condition
Summary
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is found in approximately 1% of the population and includes core symptoms that affect general and social development. Beside these core symptoms, it is suggested that up to 60% of children with ASD suffer from comorbid anxiety disorders which may further affect educational, social and general development as well as quality of life. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) include deviations and delays in the development of social interaction and communication patterns, restricted stereotyped and repetitive behaviors, as well as, often, specific areas of interests [1]. Treatment of co-morbid disorders may potentially add to improvements in quality of life and general functioning, even though ASD itself is not ‘curable’ [10]
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