Cognitive-Behavioral Group Treatment for Anxiety Symptoms in Children With High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are at increased risk for developing anxiety disorders relative to children without ASD and those with other developmental disabilities. Thirty-three children with high-functioning ASD and their parents participated in an original, manualized cognitive behavioral group treatment aimed at reducing severity of anxiety symptoms. Parent-child dyads entered into either an Active Treatment Condition or Wait List Control Condition. Results indicated significant reductions in parent report of anxiety symptoms after the delivery of the group treatment, compared with the Wait List Control Condition. The findings of this study are promising, particularly in light of the high rates of comorbidity between ASD and anxiety. Limitations and recommendations for future research directions are discussed.