The Impact of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Interventions on Anxiety for Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review of Approaches and Outcomes
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Authors
Taya, Parishi
Issue Date
2025-08-20
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
anxiety disorder , autism spectrum disorder , ASD , cognitive behavioural therapy , CBT , children , neurotypical individuals , neurodivergent individuals , person-first language , identity-first language
Alternative Title
Abstract
This capstone explores the impact of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) interventions on anxiety with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is a neurodevelopment disorder frequently co-occurring with anxiety disorders. Traditional CBT has been recognized as a gold-standard treatment for effectively treating anxiety disorders in neurotypical children; however, modifications are necessary to address differences in autistic children. The purpose of this capstone is to understand the approaches and outcomes of modified CBT to understand its suitability for children with ASD. Analysis and synthesis of current literature highlights core adaptations such as delivery format, cognitive and communication adaptations, use of special interests, and parental involvement. Findings suggest improvements in anxiety symptoms, emotional regulation, and functional participation following modified CBT interventions, allowing for discussion of why these adaptations are better suited for children with ASD. Nonetheless, gaps and limitations in literature remain regarding small sample sizes, lack of standardized assessments, and limited long-term follow-up data for example. This capstone highlights the effectiveness of modifying CBT approaches and interventions in alignment with the ASD profile to enhance suitability and improve outcomes.
Description
Citation
Publisher
License
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
openAccess
openAccess