Effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy on anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders: A randomized controlled trial

Min Sung; Yoon Phaik Ooi; Tze Jui Goh; Pavarthy Pathy; Daniel S.S. Fung; Rebecca P. Ang; Alina Chua; Chee Meng Lam

doi:10.1007/s10578-011-0238-1

Effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy on anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders: A randomized controlled trial

Min Sung^*, Yoon Phaik Ooi, Tze Jui Goh, Pavarthy Pathy, Daniel S.S. Fung, Rebecca P. Ang, Alina Chua, Chee Meng Lam

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

92 Citations (Scopus)

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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	634-649
Number of pages	16
Journal	Child Psychiatry and Human Development
Volume	42
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-011-0238-1
Publication status	Published - Dec 2011
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
Developmental and Educational Psychology
Psychiatry and Mental health

Keywords

Anxiety
Asperger syndrome
Autism spectrum disorder
Cognitive-behavior therapy
High-functioning autism
Social recreational

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1007/s10578-011-0238-1

Cite this

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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.",

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AU - Pathy, Pavarthy

AU - Fung, Daniel S.S.

AU - Ang, Rebecca P.

AU - Chua, Alina

AU - Lam, Chee Meng

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AB - 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.

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Effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy on anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

Keywords

UN SDGs

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