ASD & Anxiety Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training
Project Description:
There are two main goals for this R21/R33 proposal. First, to train outpatient clinicians (professionals in psychology) to fidelity on a manualized group cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for 8-14 year old children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and clinical anxiety in order to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention for clinical practice in real world settings. Second, to develop an optimal training model for clinicians delivering the CBT intervention. Three different instruction methods for learning the Face Your Fears (FYF) intervention will be compared: 1) manual only (Manual), 2) manual plus three-day workshop (Workshop), and 3) manual plus three-day workshop, plus bi-weekly supervised consultation (Workshop-Plus). The efficacy of the different instruction methods will be evaluated by examining a) the increases in the clinicians' acquisition of the intervention techniques, and b) the reductions in anxiety symptoms for children with ASD. Training clinicians in real world settings to fidelity on a new intervention will lead to improvements in the sustainability and portability of the intervention from the lab setting to clinical practice. The development of a training model for outpatient clinicians will provide much needed recommendations regarding optimal clinician training methods in anticipation of the much-needed dissemination of empirically supported interventions for children with high-functioning ASD and anxiety.
Keyword(s):
children with autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, cognitive behavior therap
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Performing Technical Assistance and/or Training, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Another State, International
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
