Title:
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An evaluation of a brief school-based cognitive behavioural therapy programme for children with ASD
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Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterised by difficulties with
social interactions, communication and rigid I stereotyped
behaviours, with a prevalence of around 1 % within the population.
Research has shown that children with ASD also have heightened
feelings of anxiety compared to typically developing peers,
particularity with social anxiety.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has empirical evidence that
demonstrates its efficacy in supporting children with ASD to manage
their anxiety. However, these studies have only shown improvements
in the children's anxiety using standardised questionnaires. As such,
it is difficult to infer whether the gains made using CBT are long-term,
or whether it leads to a qualitative improvement in children's
interactions with their community. Typically, CBT is typically delivered
by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, which can be
inaccessible to some children and their families.
This study employed a mixed methods approach to understand the
effectiveness of a six week, group administered, secondary schoolbased
CBT programme. 28 children took part in the research, with 14
in the treatment-as-usual group and 14 in the experimental group. All
children completed the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence,
the Social Responsiveness Scale, Spence Children's Anxiety Scale -
parent and child versions (SCAS-P/C), the Coping Scale for Children
and Youth (CSCY). Qualitative data was also collected through
parent and child interviews using a semi-structured technique. Postintervention
data consisted of the SCAS-P/C and the CSCY and
further parent and child interviews. Follow-up measures were taken
six to eight weeks after post-intervention using the SCAS-Parent and
child versions and the CSCY.
Results suggest children who took part in the intervention had
reduced levels of anxiety compared to the TaU group, both at post -
intervention and follow-up. However, these improvements were not at
a clinically significant level. Interview data, analysed using Thematic
Analysis, provided unique insight into the process of cognitive
change, the nature of anxiety in children with ASD and highlighted
potential barriers to change for these children. Furthermore, the
parents identified a lack of post diagnostic support and the view of
their child's constantly changing profile of needs.
The results are related to their implications for the professional
educational psychologist, who is considered to be well placed to
respond to the identified needs of this group and to implement CBT
programmes in schools. Methodological issues and weaknesses are
discussed as well as implications for further study.
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