Clinician- and parent-reported outcome measures showed that psychosocial interventions were superior to waitlist and treatment-as-usual control conditions at post-treatment .
However , the results of self-reported outcome measures failed to reach significance .
The sensitivity analyses did not significantly change these results and the subgroup analysis indicated that individual treatment was more effective than group treatment .
Anxiety is a common problem in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) .
This meta- analysis aim ed to systematic ally evaluate the evidence for the use of psychosocial interventions to manage anxiety in this population .
Cognitive behavioural therapy ( CBT ) was the primary intervention modality studied .
Cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders: a randomized, controlled trial.
BACKGROUND Children with autism spectrum disorders often present with comorbid anxiety disorders that cause significant functional impairment .  This study tested a modular cognitive behavioral therapy ( CBT ) program for children with this profile . A st and ard CBT program was augmented with multiple treatment components design ed to accommo date or remediate the social and adaptive skill deficits of children with ASD that could pose barriers to anxiety reduction . METHOD Forty children ( 7 - 11 years old ) were r and omly assigned to 16 sessions of CBT or a 3-month waitlist ( 36 completed treatment or waitlist ) . Therapists worked with individual families . The CBT model emphasized behavioral experimentation , parent-training , and school consultation . Independent evaluators blind to treatment condition conducted structured diagnostic interviews and parents and children completed anxiety symptom checklists at baseline and posttreatment/postwaitlist . RESULTS In intent-to-treat analyses , 78.5 % of the CBT group met Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale criteria for positive treatment response at posttreatment , as compared to only 8.7 % of the waitlist group . CBT also outperformed the waitlist on diagnostic outcomes and parent reports of child anxiety , but not children 's self-reports . Treatment gains were maintained at 3-month follow-up . CONCLUSIONS The CBT manual employed in this study is one of the first adaptations of an evidence -based treatment for children with autism spectrum disorders . Remission of anxiety disorders appears to be an achievable goal among high-functioning children with autism
Clinician- and parent-reported outcome measures showed that psychosocial interventions were superior to waitlist and treatment-as-usual control conditions at post-treatment .
However , the results of self-reported outcome measures failed to reach significance .
The sensitivity analyses did not significantly change these results and the subgroup analysis indicated that individual treatment was more effective than group treatment .
Anxiety is a common problem in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) .
This meta- analysis aim ed to systematic ally evaluate the evidence for the use of psychosocial interventions to manage anxiety in this population .
Cognitive behavioural therapy ( CBT ) was the primary intervention modality studied .