Parent-mediated cognitive behavioural therapy for young children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder and anxiety: a randomized control trial
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a parent-mediated cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) group anxiety intervention with young children with high functioning forms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).Thirty-one children aged four to six years with ASD and anxiety were randomly assigned to treatment or waitlist control conditions. Outcomes were assessed via parent-report measures of child anxiety and emotional awareness. Parental outcomes were also investigated via self-report.At post-treatment no treatment effects were found for child or parent outcomes. However, by three-month follow-up for the completer sample, children in the treatment group demonstrated significant reductions in internalizing behaviours and there was a trend for a reduction in anxiety compared to pre-treatment. For parent outcomes, at three-month follow-up for the completer sample, no significant effects were found.Results provided preliminary evidence that children may make some gains in terms of anxiety subsequent to their parents attending a group CBT intervention for anxiety.
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Only four anxiety treatment studies have been conducted in children under 6 years old.
“Only four anxiety treatment studies have been conducted in children under 6 years old”
From DINOSAUR: an integrated cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety in young children with ASD (2021) · cites this paper as [8]
Fun with Feelings is a 10-session, parent-only intervention adapted from a protocol designed to improve general emotional regulation in young children with ASD.
“In contrast, Fun with Feelings is a 10-session, parent-only intervention adapted from a protocol designed to improve general emotional regulation in young children with ASD [8, 11].”
From DINOSAUR: an integrated cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety in young children with ASD (2021) · cites this paper as [8]
Two of the studies examine the efficacy of two CBT protocols, Being Brave and Fun with Feelings, for children who are actively experiencing either anxiety disorders or symptoms.
“Two of the studies examine the efficacy of two CBT protocols, Being Brave and Fun with Feelings, for children who are actively experiencing either anxiety disorders or symptoms [8, 9].”
From DINOSAUR: an integrated cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety in young children with ASD (2021) · cites this paper as [8]
Children in Fun with Feelings displayed no change in anxiety symptoms immediately following the intervention.
“those in Fun with Feelings displayed no change in anxiety symptoms immediately following the intervention”
From DINOSAUR: an integrated cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety in young children with ASD (2021) · cites this paper as [8]
Preliminary findings from anxiety treatment studies in children under 6 years old suggest that CBT may be effective for this age range.
“Preliminary findings from these studies suggest that CBT may be effective for this age range; however, further study is needed.”
From DINOSAUR: an integrated cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety in young children with ASD (2021) · cites this paper as [8]
Both Being Brave and Fun with Feelings were deemed feasible and acceptable by participating parents.
“and were deemed feasible and acceptable by participating parents [8, 9].”
From DINOSAUR: an integrated cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety in young children with ASD (2021) · cites this paper as [8]
A significant decrease in internalizing symptoms was observed at 3-month follow-up for children in Fun with Feelings.
“though a significant decrease in internalizing symptoms was observed at 3-month follow-up [8].”
From DINOSAUR: an integrated cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety in young children with ASD (2021) · cites this paper as [8]
All three of these treatments include adaptations that account for the developmental level of the young child.
“All three of these treatments include adaptations that account for the developmental level of the young child [3, 8, 9]”
From DINOSAUR: an integrated cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety in young children with ASD (2021) · cites this paper as [8]
Of the four anxiety treatment studies in children under 6 years old, three utilized CBT approaches.
“of which three utilized CBT approaches [3, 8, 9, 26].”
From DINOSAUR: an integrated cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety in young children with ASD (2021) · cites this paper as [8]
Both Being Brave and Fun with Feelings include the core CBT components of psychoeducation, coping skills, and exposure.
“Both protocols include the core CBT components of psychoeducation, coping skills, and exposure”
From DINOSAUR: an integrated cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety in young children with ASD (2021) · cites this paper as [8]
Only one of the three treatments includes adaptations specifically for children with ASD.
“but only one includes adaptations specifically for children with ASD [8].”
From DINOSAUR: an integrated cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety in young children with ASD (2021) · cites this paper as [8]
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A Scoping Review of Anxiety in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
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- Authors
- Cook, J. M., Donovan, C. L., & Garnett, M. S.
- Affiliations
- Griffith University (AU)
- QLT (Canada) (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Cook, Julia M.
- Venue
- Early Child Development and Care
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2017-03-21
- Volume
- 189
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 119-134
- ISSN
- 0300-4430 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-8275
- OpenAlex
- W2598642578
- Cited by
- 38
- References
- 57
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 5 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 1.10
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Early Child Development and Care (publishedVersion)
- Griffith Research Online (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family and Disability Support Research
- Keywords
- parent-mediated intervention, cognitive behavioral therapy, autism spectrum disorder, high-functioning autism, childhood anxiety, young children, group intervention, internalizing behaviour, emotional awareness, parental outcomes
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