Open trial of modular cognitive-behavioral therapy in the treatment of anxiety among late adolescents with autism spectrum disorder
Abstract
Given the high rates of comorbid anxiety and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the adolescent and young adult population, effective treatment protocols to address anxiety symptoms are of importance to help promote greater independence across settings. While research supports the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) across younger age groups with ASD, the literature is limited on interventions benefitting adolescents and young adults with comorbid anxiety disorders and ASD. Therefore, this open trial utilized a modified CBT manual for seven participants between the ages of 16 and 20 years, consisting of a 16-week modularized CBT treatment, including psychoeducation, cognitive therapy, and exposure therapy. Measures of anxiety and depression were completed at baseline and post-treatment. Findings demonstrated significant reductions on clinician-rated measures of anxiety. While findings are encouraging, additional studies examining the efficacy of CBT for this population with ASD and clinical anxiety are necessary to further identify beneficial treatment components.
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Clinicians reported frequently used adaptations to CBT and EMDR.
“clinicians reported frequently used adaptations to CBT43 and EMDR.44”
From Approaches to improving mental healthcare for autistic people: Systematic review (2024) · cites this paper as [43]
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- Authors
- Wise, J. M., Cepeda, S. L., Ordaz, D. L., McBride, N. M., Cavitt, M. A., Howie, F. R., Scalli, L., Ehrenreich-May, J., Wood, J. J., Lewin, A. B., & Storch, E. A.
- Affiliations
- Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital (US)
- Baylor College of Medicine (US)
- University of South Florida (US)
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (US)
- Mayo Clinic (US)
- University of California, Los Angeles (US)
- Corresponding author
- Storch, Eric A.
- Venue
- Child Psychiatry & Human Development
- Published
- 2018-05-31
- Volume
- 50
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 27-34
- ISSN
- 0009-398X (ISSN-L)
- 1573-3327
- OpenAlex
- W2807512883
- Cited by
- 18
- References
- 49
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 1.34
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Child Psychiatry & Human Development (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital Research Foundation
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Assessments
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, anxiety disorders, cognitive behavioral therapy, adolescents, young adults, comorbidities, exposure therapy, psychoeducation, depression, treatment efficacy
- MeSH terms
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Adolescent, Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Female, Humans, Implosive Therapy, Male, Psychological Techniques, United States, Comorbidity, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Treatment Outcome, Young Adult
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