Treating Anxiety in Young Children with Autism

Young autistic children experience high rates of anxiety. This study evaluates the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a novel anxiety intervention for 4–6-year-old autistic children. This study design compares outcomes of children who participate in either a treatment or active control group.

Children
– 4 year 0 months – 6 years 11 months old
– Diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of Autism and Anxiety
– Must use short sentences (4-5 words) and/or more complex speech
– Cannot have severe meltdowns or other severe interfering behaviors

Participation in the study will involve:

-Parents answering questions about their child and developmental/diagnostic assessments to see if their child is eligible.

– Parent and child participation in an intervention or active control group, lasting 14 weeks.

-Parents answering baseline/pre-intervention, post intervention, and follow-up questions about their child.

*All study components can be completed virtually.

Anxiety is prevalent in young children, under 7 years of age, with autism. Yet few studies have examined anxiety interventions for this age range. This study aims to address the existing gap in anxiety treatment by determining if a new anxiety treatment approach may reduce anxiety and certain fears in young autistic children. This approach could offer a more tailored and potentially more effective way to help young children with autism manage anxiety, ultimately improving their daily functioning and quality of life.