Computer- Assisted Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Anxiety Disorders in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders (CCAL)

This is an interventional treatment trial for Autism focused on measuring Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Treatment, Cognitive-behavioral therapy, Anxiety, Children, Therapy Read More

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Outpatient children with an autism spectrum disorder (see #2 below) between the ages 7-12 years.
2. Meets criteria for a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder using scores from the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and Childhood Autism Rating Scale-II High Functioning Version.
3. Meets DSM-IV criteria for a diagnosis of one of the following anxiety disorders: separation anxiety disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social phobia, panic disorder or specific phobia as determined by the ADIS-IV-C/P (with CSR 4) and all available information.
4. Minimum score of 12 on the PARS Severity Scale
5. Child has a Full Scale and Verbal Comprehension IQ > 85 as assessed on the KBIT-2.
6. Subjects with co-morbid depression, ADHD, tic disorder or disruptive behavior disorders will be acceptable as long as the anxiety disorder is primary (i.e., most impairing/distressing).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Receiving concurrent psychotherapy, social skills training, or behavioral interventions (e.g., applied behavior analysis). Families will have the option of discontinuing such services to enroll in the study.
2. New Treatments: Initiation of an antidepressant within 10 weeks before study enrollment or an antipsychotic 6 weeks before study enrollment. No new alternative medications, nutritionals or therapeutic diets within 8 weeks of study enrollment.
3. Established Treatment changes: Any change in established psychotropic medication (e.g., antidepressants, anxiolytics) within 6 weeks before study enrollment, or any change in alternative medications that might have behavioral effects within 4 weeks prior to the study baseline assessment.
4. (a) Current clinically significant suicidality or (b) individuals who have engaged in suicidal behaviors within 6 months will be excluded and referred for appropriate clinical intervention.
5. Lifetime DSM-IV bipolar, schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders; or Substance abuse in past 6 months.
6. Unwillingness of parents to make the commitment to accompany their child for multiple study visits.
7. Presence of a significant and/or unstable medical illness which might lead to hospitalization during the study or if the computer-assisted CBT is not a good avenue of treatment for the child.