CART Study on Treatment for Adolescents with Autism or Asperger Syndrome

Adolescents with high-functioning autism (HFA) and Asperger syndrome are at heightened risk for anxiety disorders when compared with neurotypical children. The high prevalence rate of anxiety disorders in HFA is suggestive of a distinct subgroup of children on the autism spectrum—an “anxious-inhibited” subgroup. Due to complications that a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder can add to the adaptive functioning of children with HFA or Asperger syndrome that is above and beyond the difficulty caused by the autism spectrum disorder—such as severe difficulty with adaptive functioning in academic, family, and social settings—addressing anxiety disorders found in children with HFA is necessary. This study is designed to examine the efficacy of a modified cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program designed specifically to remedy anxiety symptoms experienced by adolescents (aged 11-14) with HFA or Asperger syndrome who also have a clinically significant anxiety disorder.