The impact of cognitive behavioural interventions in reducing anxiety in children and adolescents with Autistic Spectrum Disorders

The Review Paper presents a systematic literature review which identifies psychological interventions available for treating anxiety in children and adolescents with ASD.

It then systematically reviews and analyses the available research to assess which interventions are deemed effective for treating anxiety in this population.

Eleven of the twelve studies identified evaluated the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and one of the studies evaluated the effectiveness of reinforced practice.

Overall evidence is beginning to suggest that a modified CBT programme is effective in reducing anxiety for children with ASD.

The evidence for the efficacy of reinforced practice was very limited. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

The Empirical Paper presents an analysis of the effectiveness of a Cognitive Behavioural (CB) intervention in reducing anxiety in adolescents with ASD.

In this study an evaluation of a well known CB intervention (adapted to make it more accessible for the population of children) is carried out at a group and individual level.

Using a single case experimental design the study explored the extent to which participants report reductions in their anxious thoughts, feelings and behaviours throughout a CB intervention.

The participants and their parents reported significant reductions in levels of overall anxiety.

The CB intervention was found to be effective in reducing self-report ratings of anxious thoughts but not anxious feelings and behaviours.

Recommendations and implications for future research and education practice are discussed.