Autism Spectrum DisorderFYF:ASD/IDNCT05131425
Facing Your Fears: Adolescents With ASD and Intellectual Disability
A study testing Facing Your Fears: ASD/ID and Treatment as Usual in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability, run by University of Colorado, Denver at 2 sites in United States.
Trial summary
Adolescents with ASD and intellectual disability (ID) are a complex and underserved population. Approximately 50% of individuals with ASD/ID experience significant anxiety. Yet, there are very limited mental health care interventions available for this population. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 12 to 18 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, Anxiety
- What is being tested?
- Facing Your Fears: ASD/ID and Treatment as Usual
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 73 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2021to 31 Aug 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 12 to 18 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Chronological age between 12-18 years
- A confirmed diagnosis of ASD, as based on a score above ASD cutoff on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition and DSM-5 clinical evaluation
- Cognitive and adaptive behavior abilities in the ID range as determined by a Brief IQ standard score between 40 - 70 on the Stanford Binet-Fifth Edition (SB-5) and a Total Adaptive Composite below 70 on the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, 3rd Edition (ABAS-3)
- Clinically significant symptoms of anxiety, defined by clinically significant anxiety elevations on the ADAMS and meeting diagnostic criteria for at least one anxiety diagnosis on the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule: Autism Addendum (ADIS:ASA)
Who cannot join
- A primary mental health diagnosis of a non-anxiety psychiatric condition such as a thought disorder, as determined following administration of the ADIS:ASA, thus suggesting that a different treatment approach is merited
- A raw score above 18 on the Irritability sub-scale of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community (ABC-C), indicating problem behavior is 1.5-2 SD above the mean for youth with ID within this age range, thus suggesting a group treatment may not be appropriate
- Inability of families to attend at least 11 of 14 sessions
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country.
United States2 sites
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora, Colorado, 80045
University of Colorado
Aurora, Colorado, 80045
About this study
Official title: Group Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Anxiety in Adolescents With ASD and Intellectual Disability: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Adolescents with ASD and intellectual disability (ID) are a complex and underserved population. Approximately 50% of individuals with ASD/ID experience significant anxiety. Yet, there are very limited mental health care interventions available for this population. Addressing anxiety and building coping skills is particularly important during adolescence as coping skills can support a successful transition to adulthood and family functioning during a difficult developmental period.
The current investigators adapted a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) manualized intervention, Facing Your Fears, for adolescents with ASD/ID (FYF:ASD/ID) and completed a pilot study with 23 teens. Preliminary results indicated significant improvements in anxiety and mood symptoms. The proposed study seeks to test whether FYF:ASD/ID is more effective in reducing anxiety than treatment-as-usual (TAU). The investigators propose a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) with 36 adolescents with ASD/ID (12-18 years) randomized to FYF: ASD/ID and 36 adolescents randomized to TAU for 14 weeks. The 36 teens randomized to TAU will then cross-over and complete FYF:ASD/ID. Evaluations will take place at Baseline, Post-Intervention, and 6-month follow-up. Teens in the TAU will have two baseline assessments prior to crossing over to FYF:ASD/ID; both groups will complete a 6-month follow-up assessment after finishing FYF:ASD/ID.
There are three aims for this project: (1) examine the efficacy of FYF: ASD/ID relative to TAU in improving anxiety as measured by parent report and determine if any gains noted in the FYF:ASD/ID are maintained at 6-month follow-up; (2) examine secondary outcomes of anxiety such as how emotion regulation and problem behavior are affected by participation in FYF:ASD/ID; and (3) examine whether adolescents' independent use of CBT skills (as assessed by goal attainment ratings of prompting level required to use strategies) to manage anxiety are increased following participation in FYF:ASD/ID.
Read the detailed description
Background: Adolescents with ASD and intellectual disability (ID) are a complex and under-served population. Anxiety occurs at higher rates in individuals with ASD/ID (53%) than in ID alone (17%) and may result in physical distress, avoidance of stressful situations, and problem behavior. Further, it frequently contributes to caregivers "taking over" tasks for youth with ID and limiting independence. Parents voice concern about treatment options as the limited available supports often focus on prevention and accommodation of anxiety, rather than on building coping skills. Thus, teens often finish high school with limited coping abilities and consequently experience heightened anxiety in the workplace and poor job retention. Yet, when coping skills are taught early in adolescence, there is an opportunity to practice coping prior to transition, leading to better employment rates, decreased clinical service use, and increased long-term wages. Addressing anxiety and building coping skills for teens with ASD/ID is of critical importance as these are per-requisite skills for successful transition to adulthood.
Intervention: A significant treatment barrier for teens with ASD/ID is the lack of evidence based, manualized interventions for this population. This is due, in part, because youth with ASD/ID have typically been excluded from intervention research trials examining the effectiveness of best practice treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Recent research adapting CBT to meet the cognitive, social, and behavioral needs of this population have yielded promising results and challenge the paradigm that individuals with ID are not able to access cognitive and emotion regulation strategies. The research team for the present study adapted a CBT manualized intervention, Facing Your Fears, for adolescents with ASD/ID (FYF:ASD/ID) and completed a pilot study with 23 teens. Preliminary outcome measures indicated significant improvements in anxiety and mood symptoms.
Objective: The current study seeks to test whether FYF:ASD/ID, an adapted CBT intervention for teens with ASD/ID, is more effective in reducing anxiety than treatment-as-usual (TAU).
Study Design: The investigators will use a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) with 36 adolescents with ASD/ID (12-18 years) randomized to FYF: ASD/ID and 36 adolescents randomized to TAU for 14 weeks. The 36 teens randomized to TAU will then cross-over and complete FYF:ASD/ID. Evaluations will take place at Baseline, Post-Intervention, and 6-month follow-up. Teens in the TAU will have two baseline assessments prior to crossing over to FYF:ASD/ID; both groups will complete a 6-month follow-up assessment after finishing FYF:ASD/ID.
Specific Aims: Three aims are proposed: (1) examine the efficacy of FYF: ASD/ID relative to TAU in improving anxiety as measured by parent report and determine if gains are maintained at 6-month follow-up; (2) examine secondary outcomes of anxiety such as how emotion regulation and problem behavior are affected by participation in FYF:ASD/ID; and (3) examine whether adolescents' independent use of CBT skills (as assessed by goal attainment ratings of prompting level required to use strategies) to manage anxiety are increased following participation in FYF:ASD/ID.
Impact: The present study would represent the first RCT of a CBT intervention for adolescents with ASD/ID, a critical step toward establishing an evidence base for anxiety treatment for this underserved and vulnerable population.
Translatability: It is necessary to close the gap in the availability of anxiety interventions and ensure effective mental health care for all individuals on the spectrum. Completing a well-designed RCT that incorporates random assignment, a control group, and careful measurement of anxiety is a critical next step in evaluating the effectiveness of this CBT treatment and supporting the study of interventions that can contribute to positive coping skills that allow teens to access time limited transition services and optimize outcome.
- Being tested
- Facing Your Fears: ASD/ID, Treatment as Usual
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, cognitive behavioral therapy, anxiety, emotion regulation
- Medical subject headings
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, Anxiety Disorders, Emotional Regulation
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Facing Your Fears: ASD/IDBehavioural
Also called Cognitive behavioral therapy
This cognitive behavioral therapy, entitled Facing Your Fears for Adolescents with Autism and Intellectual Disability, is focused on somatic management, helpful cognitive mantras, emotion regulation, and graduated exposure adapted for the cognitive and linguistic needs of an Intellectual Disability population.
Treatment as UsualOther
The treatment as usual condition is being used in this study as a control condition. The investigators will track what medication and intervention services families are currently receiving.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Behavioral Intervention | Experimental | The experimental condition is a CBT intervention which focuses on developing 1) emotion regulation skills, 2) somatic management skills individually tailored for sensory and regulatory needs; 3) cognitive strategies such as individualized helpful thoughts and mantras (I can do it); and 4) graded exposure (e.g., facing fears). Receives: Behavioral: Facing Your Fears: ASD/ID |
| Treatment as Usual | Other | The TAU condition will serve as the control condition and participants' medication use and outside therapies will be tracked monthly. Following completion of the 16-week wait period, the TAU group will be invited to enroll in FYF:ASD/ID. Receives: Other: Treatment as Usual |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in number of anxiety diagnoses as measured by the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule: Autism Addendum (ADIS:ASA)
The ADIS:ASA is a semi-structured clinical interview completed with a parent that assesses anxiety diagnoses in children and adolescents with ASD. This measure provides a total number of anxiety diagnoses for a child. The interview will be administered and anxiety diagnoses recorded at the following time points: Baseline (i.e., within 6 weeks' start of the treatment or TA condition), Post treatment (i.e., within 6 weeks of the completion of the14-week treatment or TAU condition), and follow-up (six months following the completion of the treatment condition). Change in the total number of anxiety diagnoses that a child meets diagnostic criteria for on the ADIS:ASA will be calculated across the aforementioned time points.
Measured: Baseline (i.e., within 6 weeks' start of the treatment or TAU condition), Post treatment (i.e., within 6 weeks of the completion of the14-week treatment or TAU condition), and follow-up (six months following the completion of the treatment condition)
Change in the Clinical Global Improvement-Severity score as derived by the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule: Autism Addendum (ADIS:ASA)
Clinical Global Improvement-severity (CGI-S) scores are derived from the ADIS:ASA. The CGI-S is a summary rating (i.e., likert scale of 1 to 7 with 7 indicating very severe) indicating the extent to which the teen's anxiety symptoms assessed via the ADIS:ASA impact daily functioning. To calculate change in anxiety severity, the CGI-S ratings are calculated at baseline (i.e., 6 weeks prior to the start of the 14-week TAU condition of intervention condition), post-treatment (i.e., within 6 weeks of the end of the completion of the 14-week TAU condition and intervention group conditions) and at follow-up (i.e., 6 months following the completion of the 14-week TAU intervention group). Change in CGI-S ratings across these time points are calculated.
Measured: Baseline (i.e., within 6 weeks' start of the treatment or TAU condition), Post treatment (i.e., within 6 weeks of the completion of the14-week treatment or TAU condition), and follow-up (six months following the completion of the treatment condition)
Secondary outcomes (3)
Change in the Reactivity subscale as assessed by the Emotion Dysregulation Inventory (EDI)
The EDI is a parent report measure of emotion dysregulation in youth with ASD. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very severe). The Reactivity sub-scale contains 7-items. Possible scores on the Reactivity sub-scale could range from 7 to 35, with higher scores indicating a worse outcome. To calculate change in Reactivity the total score on the sub-scale is calculated at baseline (i.e., 6 weeks prior to the start of the 14-week TAU condition of intervention condition), post-treatment (i.e., within 6 weeks of the end of the completion of the 14-week TAU condition and intervention group conditions) and at follow-up (i.e., 6 months following the completion of the 14-week TAU intervention group).
Measured: Baseline (i.e., within 6 weeks' start of the treatment or TAU condition), Post treatment (i.e., within 6 weeks of the completion of the14-week treatment or TAU condition), and follow-up (six months following the completion of the treatment condition)
Change in the Dysphoria subscale as assessed by the Emotion Dysregulation Inventory (EDI)
The EDI is a parent report measure of emotion dysregulation in youth with ASD. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very severe). The Dysphoria subscale contains 6-items. Possible scores on the Reactivity subscale could range from 6 to 30, with higher scores indicating a worse outcome. To assess change in Dysphoria, the total score on the Dysphoria subscale is calculated at baseline (i.e., 6 weeks prior to the start of the 14-week TAU condition of intervention condition), post-treatment (i.e., within 6 weeks of the end of the completion of the 14-week TAU condition and intervention group conditions) and at follow-up (i.e., 6 months following the completion of the 14-week TAU intervention group). Change is assessed across these time points.
Measured: Baseline (i.e., within 6 weeks' start of the treatment or TAU condition), Post treatment (i.e., within 6 weeks of the completion of the14-week treatment or TAU condition), and follow-up (six months following the completion of the treatment condition)
Change in problem behavior as assessed by the The Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community (ABC-C)
The ABC-C is a 58-item parent report questionnaire that evaluates the presence and severity of problem behavior across five sub-scales: Irritability, Lethargy/Social Withdrawal, Stereotypic Behavior, Hyperactivity/Noncompliance sub-scales, and Inappropriate Speech. Each item is rated on a scale of 0-3 with 0 being "not at all a problem" and 3 being "the problem is severe in degree." Total problem behavior raw scores across the five sub-scales range from 0-174.To assess change in problem behavior, the total raw score is calculated at baseline (i.e., 6 weeks prior to the start of the 14-week TAU condition of intervention condition), post-treatment (i.e., within 6 weeks of the end of the completion of the 14-week TAU condition and intervention group conditions) and at follow-up (i.e., 6 months following the completion of the 14-week TAU intervention group). Change is assessed across these time points.
Measured: Baseline (i.e., within 6 weeks' start of the treatment or TAU condition), Post treatment (i.e., within 6 weeks of the completion of the14-week treatment or TAU condition), and follow-up (six months following the completion of the treatment condition)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Nov 2021
- Study start1 Sep 2021
- Primary completion31 Aug 2024
- Study completion31 Aug 2025 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (10)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Autism Spectrum DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of Colorado, DenverThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Model description
- The main objective of the current proposal is to conduct an RCT (i.e., treatment group and treatment-as-usual (TAU) control group) to examine the impact of a cognitive behavioral treatment for anxiety in an adolescent sample of Autistic youth with intellectual disability. This clinical trial incorporates random assignment, a control group, and a treatment group. All participants in the TAU control group can crossover and complete the intervention.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 73 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Colorado, Denver
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- United States Department of Defense
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Audrey D Blakeley-Smith, Ph.d., Principal investigator, University of Colorado, Denver
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05131425
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 20-3142
- Acronym
- FYF:ASD/ID
- Status last verified
- Jan 2025
- First submitted
- 8 Jul 2021
- Last updated
- 8 Jan 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Blakeley-Smith A, Meyer AT, Boles RE, Reaven J. Group Cognitive Behavioural Treatment for Anxiety in Autistic Adolescents with Intellectual Disability: A Pilot and Feasibility Study. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2021 May;34(3):777-788. doi: 10.1111/jar.12854. Epub 2021 Jan 6.
PubMed 33410240Bakken TL, Helverschou SB, Eilertsen DE, Heggelund T, Myrbakk E, Martinsen H. Psychiatric disorders in adolescents and adults with autism and intellectual disability: a representative study in one county in Norway. Res Dev Disabil. 2010 Nov-Dec;31(6):1669-77. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2010.04.009. Epub 2010 May 20.
PubMed 20493660Moskowitz LJ, Mulder E, Walsh CE, McLaughlin DM, Zarcone JR, Proudfit GH, Carr EG. A multimethod assessment of anxiety and problem behavior in children with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability. Am J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2013 Nov;118(6):419-34. doi: 10.1352/1944.7558.118.6.419.
PubMed 24432856Sandjojo J, Gebhardt WA, Zedlitz AMEE, Hoekman J, Dusseldorp E, den Haan JA, Evers AWM. Development of the Leiden Independence Questionnaire for Support Staff: a measure of staff behaviour regarding promoting independence of people with intellectual disabilities. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2019 Apr;63(4):286-297. doi: 10.1111/jir.12574. Epub 2018 Dec 5.
PubMed 30515912O'Nions E, Happe F, Evers K, Boonen H, Noens I. How do Parents Manage Irritability, Challenging Behaviour, Non-Compliance and Anxiety in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders? A Meta-Synthesis. J Autism Dev Disord. 2018 Apr;48(4):1272-1286. doi: 10.1007/s10803-017-3361-4.
PubMed 29222612Reaven J, Blakeley-Smith A, Nichols S, & Hepburn, S. (2011). Facing Your Fears: Group Therapy for Managing Anxiety in Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders. Baltimore, MD: Paul Brookes Publishing
Hurlbutt K, Chalmers L. Employment and Adults With Asperger Syndrome. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities. 2004;19(4):215-222. doi:10.1177/10883576040190040301
Aman MG, Singh NN, Stewart AW, Field CJ. The aberrant behavior checklist: a behavior rating scale for the assessment of treatment effects. Am J Ment Defic. 1985 Mar;89(5):485-91.
PubMed 3993694Esbensen AJ, Rojahn J, Aman MG, Ruedrich S. Reliability and validity of an assessment instrument for anxiety, depression, and mood among individuals with mental retardation. J Autism Dev Disord. 2003 Dec;33(6):617-29. doi: 10.1023/b:jadd.0000005999.27178.55.
PubMed 14714931Vereenooghe L, Flynn S, Hastings RP, Adams D, Chauhan U, Cooper SA, Gore N, Hatton C, Hood K, Jahoda A, Langdon PE, McNamara R, Oliver C, Roy A, Totsika V, Waite J. Interventions for mental health problems in children and adults with severe intellectual disabilities: a systematic review. BMJ Open. 2018 Jun 19;8(6):e021911. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-021911.
PubMed 29921688
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 Jan 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Group Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Anxiety in Adolescents With ASD and Intellectual Disability: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05131425
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- FYF:ASD/ID / 20-3142
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, cognitive behavioral therapy, anxiety, emotion regulation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 73 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Colorado, DenverUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- United States Department of Defense
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Aug 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Aug 2025 (estimated)
- First posted
- 23 Nov 2021 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Adolescents with ASD and intellectual disability (ID) are a complex and underserved population. Approximately 50% of individuals with ASD/ID experience significant anxiety. Yet, there are very limited mental health care interventions available for this population. Addressing anxiety and building coping skills is particularly important during adolescence as coping skills can support a successful transition to adulthood and family functioning during a difficult developmental period.
The current investigators adapted a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) manualized intervention, Facing Your Fears, for adolescents with ASD/ID (FYF:ASD/ID) and completed a pilot study with 23 teens. Preliminary results indicated significant improvements in anxiety and mood symptoms. The proposed study seeks to test whether FYF:ASD/ID is more effective in reducing anxiety than treatment-as-usual (TAU). The investigators propose a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) with 36 adolescents with ASD/ID (12-18 years) randomized to FYF: ASD/ID and 36 adolescents randomized to TAU for 14 weeks. The 36 teens randomized to TAU will then cross-over and complete FYF:ASD/ID. Evaluations will take place at Baseline, Post-Intervention, and 6-month follow-up. Teens in the TAU will have two baseline assessments prior to crossing over to FYF:ASD/ID; both groups will complete a 6-month follow-up assessment after finishing FYF:ASD/ID.
There are three aims for this project: (1) examine the efficacy of FYF: ASD/ID relative to TAU in improving anxiety as measured by parent report and determine if any gains noted in the FYF:ASD/ID are maintained at 6-month follow-up; (2) examine secondary outcomes of anxiety such as how emotion regulation and problem behavior are affected by participation in FYF:ASD/ID; and (3) examine whether adolescents' independent use of CBT skills (as assessed by goal attainment ratings of prompting level required to use strategies) to manage anxiety are increased following participation in FYF:ASD/ID.
Detailed description
Background: Adolescents with ASD and intellectual disability (ID) are a complex and under-served population. Anxiety occurs at higher rates in individuals with ASD/ID (53%) than in ID alone (17%) and may result in physical distress, avoidance of stressful situations, and problem behavior. Further, it frequently contributes to caregivers "taking over" tasks for youth with ID and limiting independence. Parents voice concern about treatment options as the limited available supports often focus on prevention and accommodation of anxiety, rather than on building coping skills. Thus, teens often finish high school with limited coping abilities and consequently experience heightened anxiety in the workplace and poor job retention. Yet, when coping skills are taught early in adolescence, there is an opportunity to practice coping prior to transition, leading to better employment rates, decreased clinical service use, and increased long-term wages. Addressing anxiety and building coping skills for teens with ASD/ID is of critical importance as these are per-requisite skills for successful transition to adulthood.
Intervention: A significant treatment barrier for teens with ASD/ID is the lack of evidence based, manualized interventions for this population. This is due, in part, because youth with ASD/ID have typically been excluded from intervention research trials examining the effectiveness of best practice treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Recent research adapting CBT to meet the cognitive, social, and behavioral needs of this population have yielded promising results and challenge the paradigm that individuals with ID are not able to access cognitive and emotion regulation strategies. The research team for the present study adapted a CBT manualized intervention, Facing Your Fears, for adolescents with ASD/ID (FYF:ASD/ID) and completed a pilot study with 23 teens. Preliminary outcome measures indicated significant improvements in anxiety and mood symptoms.
Objective: The current study seeks to test whether FYF:ASD/ID, an adapted CBT intervention for teens with ASD/ID, is more effective in reducing anxiety than treatment-as-usual (TAU).
Study Design: The investigators will use a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) with 36 adolescents with ASD/ID (12-18 years) randomized to FYF: ASD/ID and 36 adolescents randomized to TAU for 14 weeks. The 36 teens randomized to TAU will then cross-over and complete FYF:ASD/ID. Evaluations will take place at Baseline, Post-Intervention, and 6-month follow-up. Teens in the TAU will have two baseline assessments prior to crossing over to FYF:ASD/ID; both groups will complete a 6-month follow-up assessment after finishing FYF:ASD/ID.
Specific Aims: Three aims are proposed: (1) examine the efficacy of FYF: ASD/ID relative to TAU in improving anxiety as measured by parent report and determine if gains are maintained at 6-month follow-up; (2) examine secondary outcomes of anxiety such as how emotion regulation and problem behavior are affected by participation in FYF:ASD/ID; and (3) examine whether adolescents' independent use of CBT skills (as assessed by goal attainment ratings of prompting level required to use strategies) to manage anxiety are increased following participation in FYF:ASD/ID.
Impact: The present study would represent the first RCT of a CBT intervention for adolescents with ASD/ID, a critical step toward establishing an evidence base for anxiety treatment for this underserved and vulnerable population.
Translatability: It is necessary to close the gap in the availability of anxiety interventions and ensure effective mental health care for all individuals on the spectrum. Completing a well-designed RCT that incorporates random assignment, a control group, and careful measurement of anxiety is a critical next step in evaluating the effectiveness of this CBT treatment and supporting the study of interventions that can contribute to positive coping skills that allow teens to access time limited transition services and optimize outcome.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- The main objective of the current proposal is to conduct an RCT (i.e., treatment group and treatment-as-usual (TAU) control group) to examine the impact of a cognitive behavioral treatment for anxiety in an adolescent sample of Autistic youth with intellectual disability. This clinical trial incorporates random assignment, a control group, and a treatment group. All participants in the TAU control group can crossover and complete the intervention.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Behavioral Intervention | Experimental | Behavioral: Facing Your Fears: ASD/IDThe experimental condition is a CBT intervention which focuses on developing 1) emotion regulation skills, 2) somatic management skills individually tailored for sensory and regulatory needs; 3) cognitive strategies such as individualized helpful thoughts and mantras (I can do it); and 4) graded exposure (e.g., facing fears). |
| Treatment as Usual | Other | Other: Treatment as UsualThe TAU condition will serve as the control condition and participants' medication use and outside therapies will be tracked monthly. Following completion of the 16-week wait period, the TAU group will be invited to enroll in FYF:ASD/ID. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 12 to 18 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Chronological age between 12-18 years
- A confirmed diagnosis of ASD, as based on a score above ASD cutoff on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition and DSM-5 clinical evaluation
- Cognitive and adaptive behavior abilities in the ID range as determined by a Brief IQ standard score between 40 - 70 on the Stanford Binet-Fifth Edition (SB-5) and a Total Adaptive Composite below 70 on the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, 3rd Edition (ABAS-3)
- Clinically significant symptoms of anxiety, defined by clinically significant anxiety elevations on the ADAMS and meeting diagnostic criteria for at least one anxiety diagnosis on the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule: Autism Addendum (ADIS:ASA)
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- A primary mental health diagnosis of a non-anxiety psychiatric condition such as a thought disorder, as determined following administration of the ADIS:ASA, thus suggesting that a different treatment approach is merited
- A raw score above 18 on the Irritability sub-scale of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community (ABC-C), indicating problem behavior is 1.5-2 SD above the mean for youth with ID within this age range, thus suggesting a group treatment may not be appropriate
- Inability of families to attend at least 11 of 14 sessions
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Facing Your Fears: ASD/IDAlso: Cognitive behavioral therapyThis cognitive behavioral therapy, entitled Facing Your Fears for Adolescents with Autism and Intellectual Disability, is focused on somatic management, helpful cognitive mantras, emotion regulation, and graduated exposure adapted for the cognitive and linguistic needs of an Intellectual Disability population. | Behavioural | Cognitive Behavioral Intervention |
| Treatment as UsualThe treatment as usual condition is being used in this study as a control condition. The investigators will track what medication and intervention services families are currently receiving. | Other | Treatment as Usual |
Primary outcome
Change in number of anxiety diagnoses as measured by the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule: Autism Addendum (ADIS:ASA)
Time frame: Baseline (i.e., within 6 weeks' start of the treatment or TAU condition), Post treatment (i.e., within 6 weeks of the completion of the14-week treatment or TAU condition), and follow-up (six months following the completion of the treatment condition)
The ADIS:ASA is a semi-structured clinical interview completed with a parent that assesses anxiety diagnoses in children and adolescents with ASD. This measure provides a total number of anxiety diagnoses for a child. The interview will be administered and anxiety diagnoses recorded at the following time points: Baseline (i.e., within 6 weeks' start of the treatment or TA condition), Post treatment (i.e., within 6 weeks of the completion of the14-week treatment or TAU condition), and follow-up (six months following the completion of the treatment condition). Change in the total number of anxiety diagnoses that a child meets diagnostic criteria for on the ADIS:ASA will be calculated across the aforementioned time points.
Change in the Clinical Global Improvement-Severity score as derived by the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule: Autism Addendum (ADIS:ASA)
Time frame: Baseline (i.e., within 6 weeks' start of the treatment or TAU condition), Post treatment (i.e., within 6 weeks of the completion of the14-week treatment or TAU condition), and follow-up (six months following the completion of the treatment condition)
Clinical Global Improvement-severity (CGI-S) scores are derived from the ADIS:ASA. The CGI-S is a summary rating (i.e., likert scale of 1 to 7 with 7 indicating very severe) indicating the extent to which the teen's anxiety symptoms assessed via the ADIS:ASA impact daily functioning. To calculate change in anxiety severity, the CGI-S ratings are calculated at baseline (i.e., 6 weeks prior to the start of the 14-week TAU condition of intervention condition), post-treatment (i.e., within 6 weeks of the end of the completion of the 14-week TAU condition and intervention group conditions) and at follow-up (i.e., 6 months following the completion of the 14-week TAU intervention group). Change in CGI-S ratings across these time points are calculated.
3 secondary outcomes
Change in the Reactivity subscale as assessed by the Emotion Dysregulation Inventory (EDI)
Time frame: Baseline (i.e., within 6 weeks' start of the treatment or TAU condition), Post treatment (i.e., within 6 weeks of the completion of the14-week treatment or TAU condition), and follow-up (six months following the completion of the treatment condition)
Change in the Dysphoria subscale as assessed by the Emotion Dysregulation Inventory (EDI)
Time frame: Baseline (i.e., within 6 weeks' start of the treatment or TAU condition), Post treatment (i.e., within 6 weeks of the completion of the14-week treatment or TAU condition), and follow-up (six months following the completion of the treatment condition)
Change in problem behavior as assessed by the The Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community (ABC-C)
Time frame: Baseline (i.e., within 6 weeks' start of the treatment or TAU condition), Post treatment (i.e., within 6 weeks of the completion of the14-week treatment or TAU condition), and follow-up (six months following the completion of the treatment condition)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 Jan 2025.
- Background: PubMed 33410240Blakeley-Smith A, Meyer AT, Boles RE, Reaven J. Group Cognitive Behavioural Treatment for Anxiety in Autistic Adolescents with Intellectual Disability: A Pilot and Feasibility Study. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2021 May;34(3):777-788. doi: 10.1111/jar.12854. Epub 2021 Jan 6.
- Background: PubMed 20493660Bakken TL, Helverschou SB, Eilertsen DE, Heggelund T, Myrbakk E, Martinsen H. Psychiatric disorders in adolescents and adults with autism and intellectual disability: a representative study in one county in Norway. Res Dev Disabil. 2010 Nov-Dec;31(6):1669-77. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2010.04.009. Epub 2010 May 20.
- Background: PubMed 24432856Moskowitz LJ, Mulder E, Walsh CE, McLaughlin DM, Zarcone JR, Proudfit GH, Carr EG. A multimethod assessment of anxiety and problem behavior in children with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability. Am J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2013 Nov;118(6):419-34. doi: 10.1352/1944.7558.118.6.419.
- Background: PubMed 30515912Sandjojo J, Gebhardt WA, Zedlitz AMEE, Hoekman J, Dusseldorp E, den Haan JA, Evers AWM. Development of the Leiden Independence Questionnaire for Support Staff: a measure of staff behaviour regarding promoting independence of people with intellectual disabilities. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2019 Apr;63(4):286-297. doi: 10.1111/jir.12574. Epub 2018 Dec 5.
- Background: PubMed 29222612O'Nions E, Happe F, Evers K, Boonen H, Noens I. How do Parents Manage Irritability, Challenging Behaviour, Non-Compliance and Anxiety in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders? A Meta-Synthesis. J Autism Dev Disord. 2018 Apr;48(4):1272-1286. doi: 10.1007/s10803-017-3361-4.
- BackgroundReaven J, Blakeley-Smith A, Nichols S, & Hepburn, S. (2011). Facing Your Fears: Group Therapy for Managing Anxiety in Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders. Baltimore, MD: Paul Brookes Publishing
- BackgroundHurlbutt K, Chalmers L. Employment and Adults With Asperger Syndrome. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities. 2004;19(4):215-222. doi:10.1177/10883576040190040301
- Background: PubMed 3993694Aman MG, Singh NN, Stewart AW, Field CJ. The aberrant behavior checklist: a behavior rating scale for the assessment of treatment effects. Am J Ment Defic. 1985 Mar;89(5):485-91.
- Background: PubMed 14714931Esbensen AJ, Rojahn J, Aman MG, Ruedrich S. Reliability and validity of an assessment instrument for anxiety, depression, and mood among individuals with mental retardation. J Autism Dev Disord. 2003 Dec;33(6):617-29. doi: 10.1023/b:jadd.0000005999.27178.55.
- Background: PubMed 29921688Vereenooghe L, Flynn S, Hastings RP, Adams D, Chauhan U, Cooper SA, Gore N, Hatton C, Hood K, Jahoda A, Langdon PE, McNamara R, Oliver C, Roy A, Totsika V, Waite J. Interventions for mental health problems in children and adults with severe intellectual disabilities: a systematic review. BMJ Open. 2018 Jun 19;8(6):e021911. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-021911.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Audrey D Blakeley-Smith, Ph.d. principal investigator
University of Colorado, Denver
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Facing Your Fears: ASD/ID and Treatment as Usual in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability, run by University of Colorado, Denver at 2 sites in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Jan 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in number of anxiety diagnoses as measured by the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule: Autism Addendum (ADIS:ASA) (time frame: Baseline (i.e., within 6 weeks' start of the treatment or TAU condition), Post treatment (i.e., within 6 weeks of the completion of the14-week treatment or TAU condition), and follow-up (six months following the completion of the treatment condition)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05131425, which also lists 10 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Jan 2025.