Gepubliceerd in:
30-04-2016 | S.I. : Anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorders
School based cognitive behavioural therapy targeting anxiety in children with autistic spectrum disorder: a quasi-experimental randomised controlled trail incorporating a mixed methods approach
Auteurs:
Chris Clarke, Vivian Hill, Tony Charman
Gepubliceerd in:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|
Uitgave 12/2017
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Abstract
Children with a diagnosis of autism are more likely to experience anxiety than their typically developing peers. Research suggests that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) could offer a way to help children with autism manage their anxiety but most evidence is based on clinical trials. This study investigated a school-based CBT programme using a quasi-experimental design incorporating the child and parent versions of the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (Spence, J Abnorm Psy 106(2):280–297,
1997) and the Coping Scale for Children and Youth (Brodzinsky et al., J Appl Dev Psychol 13:195–214,
1992). Interview data was incorporated to help understand the process of change further. Children in the experimental condition had lower levels of anxiety, maintained at follow-up and changes were found in coping behaviours such as lower behavioural avoidance strategies but increased problem solving strategies at follow-up. Limitations of the research together with future directions are also discussed.