title: The Coping Cat program for children with anxiety and autism spectrum disorder: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
abstract: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate whether a modified version of the Coping Cat program could be effective in reducing anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Twenty-two children (ages 8-14; IQ ≥ 70) with ASD and clinically significant anxiety were randomly assigned to 16 sessions of the Coping Cat program (cognitive-behavioral therapy; CBT) or a 16-week waitlist. Children in the CBT condition evidenced significantly larger reductions in anxiety than those in the waitlist. Treatment gains were largely maintained at two-month follow-up. Results provide preliminary evidence that a modified version of the Coping Cat program may be a feasible and effective program for reducing clinically significant levels of anxiety in children with high-functioning ASD.
authors.affiliation: California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University, 10455 Pomerado Road, San Diego, CA 92131, USA. rhmcnally@gmail.com
authors.forename: Rebecca H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: McNally Keehn
authors.forename: Alan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lincoln
authors.forename: Milton Z
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Denise A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Chavira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome