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Cited by 81Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchChild Therapy and DevelopmentChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

Group therapy for anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorder

Open access
McConachie, Helen, McLaughlin, Eleanor, Grahame, Victoria, Taylor, Helen, Honey, Emma, Tavernor, Laura, Rodgers, Jacqui, Freeston, Mark +3 more·2014·Autism
DOI 10.1177/1362361313488839
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Abstract

AIM: To investigate the acceptability and feasibility of adapted group therapy for anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorder in a pilot randomised controlled trial. METHOD: A total of 32 children aged 9-13 years were randomised to immediate or delayed therapy using the 'Exploring Feelings' manual (Attwood, 2004). Child and parent groups were run in parallel, for seven weekly sessions, under the supervision of experienced psychologists. The primary blinded outcome measures addressed change in overall functioning and in severity of the primary anxiety diagnosis after 3 months. RESULTS: Children met diagnostic criteria for 1-6 anxiety disorders (median 3). At end point, both parents and children in the immediate therapy group were more likely to report a reduction in anxiety symptoms. Fidelity of delivery of the group therapy was high, and attendance was 91%. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot trial established that children and families were willing to be recruited and randomised, the outcome measures were acceptable, the format and content of the groups were feasible within UK child and adolescent mental health services, the intervention was appreciated by families and attrition was very small.

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  • Numerous RCTs have shown that modified CBT programmes are effective in reducing anxiety in autistic children aged 8-16 years, as evidenced by interviews and parent and child questionnaires.

    “Numerous RCTs have shown that such modified CBT programmes are effective in reducing anxiety in autistic children ranging in age from 8 - 16 years, as evidenced by reports in interviews (Chalfant et al., 2007; McConachie et al., 2014; Reaven et al, 2012; Wood et al., 2009, Clarke et al 2016) and on parent and child questionnaires (Chalfant et al., 2007; McConachie et al., 2014; Sofronoff et al., 2”

    From The design and implementation of a CBT-based intervention for sensory processing difficulties in adolescents on the autism spectrum (2016) · cites this paper as McConachie et al., 2014

  • This finding of good acceptability to participants is consistent with that of other CBT-based interventions with children and adolescents with autism, providing further evidence for the suitability of this approach with young autistic people.

    “This finding of good acceptability to participants is consistent with that of other CBT-based interventions with children and adolescents with autism (e.g., Clarke et al., 2016; McConachie et al., 2014), providing further evidence for the suitability of this approach with young autistic people.”

    From The design and implementation of a CBT-based intervention for sensory processing difficulties in adolescents on the autism spectrum (2016) · cites this paper as McConachie et al., 2014

  • A variety of CBT based programmes for anxiety and ASD have been evaluated recently, mainly in children and adolescents, with variable evidence for their effectiveness.

    “A variety of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) based programmes for anxiety and ASD have been evaluated recently, mainly in children and adolescents (Chalfant et al. 2007; McConachie et al. 2014; White et al. 2009; Wood et al. 2009) and with variable evidence for their effectiveness.”

    From Towards a Treatment for Intolerance of Uncertainty for Autistic Adults: A Single Case Experimental Design Study. (2018) · cites this paper as McConachie et al. 2014

  • A range of CBT programmes for young people with anxiety and ASD have been evaluated, with generally moderate effect sizes.

    “A range of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) programmes for young people with anxiety and ASD have been evaluated (Chalfant et al. 2007; White et al. 2009; Wood et al. 2009; McConachie et al. 2013), with generally moderate effect sizes.”

    From Towards a Treatment for Intolerance of Uncertainty in Young People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Development of the Coping with Uncertainty in Everyday Situations (CUES©) Programme. (2017) · cites this paper as McConachie et al. 2013

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Authors
McConachie, H., McLaughlin, E., Grahame, V., Taylor, H., Honey, E., Tavernor, L., Rodgers, J., Freeston, M., Hemm, C., Steen, N., & Le Couteur, A.
Affiliations
  • Newcastle University (GB)
  • Cumbria Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
  • Newcastle University, UK
ORCID
Venue
Autism
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2013-10-07
Volume
18
Issue
6
Pages
723-732
ISSN
  • 1362-3613 (ISSN-L)
  • 1461-7005
DOI
10.1177/1362361313488839
OpenAlex
W2099922807
Cited by
81
References
58
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 3
FWCI
3.28
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations
  • Autism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Newcastle University ePrints (Newcastle Univesity)
Funders
  • National Institute for Health and Care Research (PB-PG-0408-16069)
  • National Institutes of Health
  • Research for Patient Benefit Programme
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Therapy and Development
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, anxiety disorders, group therapy, children, treatment acceptability, feasibility, parental involvement, child and adolescent mental health services, intervention fidelity
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders, Child, Child Development Disorders, Pervasive, Female, Humans, Male, Pilot Projects, Psychotherapy, Group, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Single-Blind Method

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