Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Children With High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder and Anxiety
Condition: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autism; Asperger Syndrome; PDD-NOS
MeSH terms: Autistic Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Asperger Syndrome
Study type: Interventional
Phase: Phase 1

Summary: 
      Many children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience high levels of
      anxiety which can further inhibit their ability to master developmental tasks such as
      succeeding in school and developing and maintaining friendships. Despite the need for
      effective treatments for children with ASD and anxiety, there have been few studies that have
      addressed this issue. Recently, preliminary evidence has supported the use of
      cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat anxiety disorders in children with ASD.

      This study will utilize a CBT treatment program called Coping Cat. Coping Cat has been found
      to be one of the most effective treatments for typically developing children with anxiety and
      has also been shown to be effective for treating anxiety in children with other disorders
      such as physical impairments, selective mutism, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
      The investigators goal is to demonstrate that Coping Cat is an effective treatment for
      children with ASD and anxiety. Finding effective treatments for children with ASD and anxiety
      could increase adaptive social relationships, decrease stress among families, and prevent the
      maintenance of anxiety into adulthood.
    

Detailed description: 
      The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an
      empirically-supported, individually-based cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety
      disorders in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recent research suggests that 47 -
      84% of children with ASD experience clinically significant levels of anxiety due to inhibited
      temperament, physiological hyperarousal, and distinct information processing biases. Despite
      the clear need for effective treatments for children with ASD and anxiety, there have been
      few empirical studies. However, a small body of literature has demonstrated growing support
      for the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat anxiety in children with
      high-functioning ASD. Kendall and Hedtke's Coping Cat cognitive-behavioral therapy program
      for anxious children will be utilized as the primary intervention. To date, there are no
      studies that have used this treatment program for anxiety in children with developmental
      disorders, including ASD. However, Coping Cat has been successfully adapted for children with
      a variety of co-occurring diagnoses (e.g., physical impairments, selective mutism).
      Participants in this study will be 20 children aged 7;0 to 14;11 years diagnosed with
      high-functioning ASD and at least one anxiety disorder (separation anxiety disorder,
      generalized anxiety disorder, or social phobia). A randomized controlled trial design will be
      employed. It is hypothesized that participants in the CBT condition will demonstrate a
      significantly larger reduction in overall levels of anxiety from pre-treatment to
      post-treatment compared to those in the waitlist (WL) condition and that children who
      complete the CBT treatment will maintain gains at two-month follow-up.
    

Intervention name(s): Coping Cat cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxious youth
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Manualized, empirically supported CBT treatment for anxious youth
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment