None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The aim of the present study is to examine the efficacy of a group modified cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention on reducing anxiety and internalizing disorders in adolescents with high functioning autism spectrum disorder. In addition to a longitudinal follow-up, this study seeks to determine the impact this treatment has on family quality of life.
Interventions
Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy will be used including 12 sessions for adolescents and 12 concurrent parent education sessions. The adolescent sessions teach cognitive behavioural skills that are targeted to combat anxiety while additionally incorporating social skills and assertiveness training in order to specifically address core HFASD deficits. The parent sessions will provide psychoeducation, and assist them in understanding their adolescent’s anxiety and the homework activities. The f
Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy will be used including 12 sessions for adolescents and 12 concurrent parent education sessions. The adolescent sessions teach cognitive behavioural skills that are targeted to combat anxiety while additionally incorporating social skills and assertiveness training in order to specifically address core HFASD deficits. The parent sessions will provide psychoeducation, and assist them in understanding their adolescent’s anxiety and the homework activities. The first 15 minutes of each session will entail parents and adolescents working together, followed by an adolescent-only session (1 hour) and then a parent session (45 minutes). The sessions will be weekly for 9 weeks and then 2 additional sessions, one month apart. Each group will complete intervention within 6 months.
Sponsors
Curtin University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
12 Years to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria for adolescents in this study will consist of: 1) a current clinical diagnosis of autism, Asperger's Disorder, or Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS); 2) a diagnosis of at least one anxiety disorder; 3) aged between 12 and 18 years; 4) a verbal IQ above 70 (as assessed in previous testing, or, if the adolescent’s verbal abilities are questioned by the independent assessor at baseline, then based on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV administered by the independent assessor); 5) the ability to read English, and 6) not taking any anxiety medication or taking a stable dose of anxiety medication (i.e., at least one month at the same dosage prior to baseline assessment), and, if taking medication, agreement for this to be maintained throughout the study.
Exclusion criteria
Participants will be excluded from the study if: 1) the adolescent is planning on participating in psychotherapy, social skills training, or behavioural intervention such as applied behavioural analysis over the course of the study; 2) the family will be involved in therapy or parenting classes; 3) the adolescent begins taking psychiatric medication or changes his or her dosage during the intervention period; or 4) the family is not able to participate in the intervention program.
Outcome results
None listed