Assessing the efficacy and social validity of a manualised, family-based group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for adolescents with high-functioning autism and comorbid anxiety disorder.
- Conditions
- Autism Spectrum DisorderAnxiety DisorderMental Health - Autistic spectrum disordersMental Health - DepressionMental Health - Anxiety
- Registration Number
- ACTRN12610001014044
- Lead Sponsor
- Curtin University
- Brief Summary
Not available
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- Completed
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 60
Inclusion criteria for adolescents in this study will consist of: 1) a current clinical diagnosis of autism, Asperger's Disorder, or Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS); 2) a diagnosis of at least one anxiety disorder; 3) aged between 12 and 18 years; 4) a verbal IQ above 70 (as assessed in previous testing, or, if the adolescent’s verbal abilities are questioned by the independent assessor at baseline, then based on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV administered by the independent assessor); 5) the ability to read English, and 6) not taking any anxiety medication or taking a stable dose of anxiety medication (i.e., at least one month at the same dosage prior to baseline assessment), and, if taking medication, agreement for this to be maintained throughout the study.
Participants will be excluded from the study if: 1) the adolescent is planning on participating in psychotherapy, social skills training, or behavioural intervention such as applied behavioural analysis over the course of the study; 2) the family will be involved in therapy or parenting classes; 3) the adolescent begins taking psychiatric medication or changes his or her dosage during the intervention period; or 4) the family is not able to participate in the intervention program.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Study Design
- Not specified
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method