title: Effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy on anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: We compared the effects of a 16-week Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) program and a Social Recreational (SR) program on anxiety in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Seventy children (9-16 years old) were randomly assigned to either of the programs (n (CBT) = 36; n (SR) = 34). Measures on child's anxiety using the Spence Child Anxiety Scale--Child (SCAS-C) and the Clinical Global Impression-Severity scale (CGI--S) were administered at pre-, post-treatment, and follow-ups (3- and 6-month). Children in both programs showed significantly lower levels of generalized anxiety and total anxiety symptoms at 6-month follow-up on SCAS-C. Clinician ratings on the CGI-S demonstrated an increase in the percentage of participants rated as "Normal" and "Borderline" for both programs. Findings from the present study suggest factors such as regular sessions in a structured setting, consistent therapists, social exposure and the use of autism-friendly strategies are important components of an effective framework in the management of anxiety in children and adolescents with ASD.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore. Min_Sung@imh.com.sg
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Yoon Phaik
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Ooi
authors.forename: Tze Jui
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Goh
authors.forename: Pavarthy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pathy
authors.forename: Daniel S S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Fung
authors.forename: Rebecca P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Ang
authors.forename: Alina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chua
authors.forename: Chee Meng
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lam
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000145:classification*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D016896:Treatment Outcome