Cognitive behavioural therapy may help treat anxiety in kids with autism

People on the Autistic Spectrum should have access to a range of treatments for anxiety as other clinical populations. Modified Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can be successfully used to manage anxiety disorders in people on the Autistic Spectrum.

Keywords: ASD, Anxiety, CBT, Group therapy, Autism, children, Adolescent

The analysis looked at 24 studies, most of which used a cognitive behavioural therapy intervention, although one used peer-mediated theatre therapy, and one examined the benefits of Thai traditional massage. 

The researchers found that overall, the interventions showed a moderate to high effectiveness for treating anxiety compared with treatment-as-usual.Overall, the interventions showed a statistically significant moderate to high effectiveness for treating anxiety compared with treatment-as-usual.

"These are exciting results as they actually show evidence that some of the things that can be done at home or at school to reduce anxiety in school-aged children actually work," said co-author Petra Lietz, Principal Research Fellow of the Australian Council for Educational Research.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/c12.1086