Alleviating Anxiety in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Exploring the Effectiveness of Cognitive- Behaviour Therapy

Abstract

Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are reported to experience high rates of anxiety disorders. Cognitive-behaviour therapy has been found to be an empirically validated treatment for typically developing youth with anxiety disorders. In recent years, researchers have been investigating the use of cognitive behaviour therapy with children and adolescents with ASD. Key characteristics associated with ASD may make the application of traditional cognitive-behaviour therapy complex. In this systematic review of literature, studies that have examined the effectiveness of cognitive-behaviour therapy treatments for youth with ASD who have co-occurring anxiety disorders were reviewed and the overall findings indicate that cognitive-behaviour therapy is effective at reducing anxiety in this group of young people The modifications made to the treatment programmes to adapt them for use with children and adolescents with ASD are described and discussed. Implications for teachers and schools are discussed.