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Friday, May 8, 2009
Northwest Hall (Chicago Hilton)
3:30 PM
Background: Individuals with developmental disabilities are at increased risk for developing anxiety disorders and children with high-functioning autism and Asperger Syndrome are at even greater risk for developing significant anxiety symptoms (Bellini, 2004; 2006; Brereton, Tonge & Einfeld, 2006; Gilliot, Furniss, & Walter, 2001). Anxiety can be a debilitating disorder as symptoms can markedly interfere with an individual’s ability to participate in home, school and community activities (Velting, Setzer & Albano, 2004). Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT) are frequently used for children with anxiety symptoms in the general population with good success (Compton et al. 2004; Walkup et al. 2008). Given the common co-occurrence of anxiety and autism spectrum disorders (ASD), it is surprising that so few treatment studies of dually diagnosed persons exist in the literature. In fact, research studies using randomized controlled trials have typically excluded children with pervasive developmental disorders.
Objectives: To conduct a randomized, controlled study of the treatment package, by comparing treatment as usual (e.g.,wait-list control) with parent/child participation in the 12-week intervention. Impact of the treatment package will be assessed by examining the reduction in severity of anxiety symptoms in children.
Methods: Children ages 8-14 were recruited from the Autism Clinic of JFK Partners, University of Colorado Denver and through word of mouth in the Denver community. Criteria for inclusion: 1) current clinical diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder, 2) exceeding criteria for ASD on the ADOS, 3) exceeding criteria for ASD on the SCQ, 4) presenting with clinically significant symptoms of anxiety on the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule – Parent Version (ADIS-P), and 5) Verbal IQ of 80 or higher. Children and their parents participated in the 12 week group treatment. Multiple outcome measures were used including the Clinician Severity Rating (CSR) from the ADIS-P, that was obtained from an independent rater, blind to condition. Other outcomes measures included the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) – parent and child report, the Children’s Automatic Thoughts Scale (CATS), and measures of parental anxiety.
Results: Forty-four children with ASD and their parents participated in the study. Preliminary findings indicated that there were no pre-treatment differences on measures of IQ, age, autism severity and clinical anxiety symptoms. Data regarding independent clinician severity ratings, anxiety diagnostic status, parent interference ratings and functional outcomes will be presented. Preliminary analyses reflect promising changes in symptoms of social phobia and specific phobia from pre to post-treatment.
Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest that group CBT treatment, with parent participation, may be effective in decreasing anxiety symptoms in children with ASD. Limitations of this study include small sample size, as well as the lack of a social attention control group.
Objectives: To conduct a randomized, controlled study of the treatment package, by comparing treatment as usual (e.g.,wait-list control) with parent/child participation in the 12-week intervention. Impact of the treatment package will be assessed by examining the reduction in severity of anxiety symptoms in children.
Methods: Children ages 8-14 were recruited from the Autism Clinic of JFK Partners, University of Colorado Denver and through word of mouth in the Denver community. Criteria for inclusion: 1) current clinical diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder, 2) exceeding criteria for ASD on the ADOS, 3) exceeding criteria for ASD on the SCQ, 4) presenting with clinically significant symptoms of anxiety on the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule – Parent Version (ADIS-P), and 5) Verbal IQ of 80 or higher. Children and their parents participated in the 12 week group treatment. Multiple outcome measures were used including the Clinician Severity Rating (CSR) from the ADIS-P, that was obtained from an independent rater, blind to condition. Other outcomes measures included the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) – parent and child report, the Children’s Automatic Thoughts Scale (CATS), and measures of parental anxiety.
Results: Forty-four children with ASD and their parents participated in the study. Preliminary findings indicated that there were no pre-treatment differences on measures of IQ, age, autism severity and clinical anxiety symptoms. Data regarding independent clinician severity ratings, anxiety diagnostic status, parent interference ratings and functional outcomes will be presented. Preliminary analyses reflect promising changes in symptoms of social phobia and specific phobia from pre to post-treatment.
Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest that group CBT treatment, with parent participation, may be effective in decreasing anxiety symptoms in children with ASD. Limitations of this study include small sample size, as well as the lack of a social attention control group.