New Study Shows CBT Helps Reduce Anxiety in Autistic Kids

Many children with autism also struggle with anxiety. Researchers wanted to test whether a special type of therapy called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) could help these kids more than regular treatments.

What the Study Found

The study compared two groups of autistic children with anxiety:

• One group received 16 weeks of CBT adapted for autism
• The other group continued with their usual treatments (like regular therapy or medication)

After treatment, 75% of kids in the CBT group showed significant improvement in anxiety, compared to only 14% in the regular treatment group. The benefits lasted even 3 months after therapy ended.

Why This Matters for Autism Families

Anxiety makes daily life harder for many autistic children. This study shows that specially adapted CBT can be an effective option - more effective than standard approaches many kids receive.

Practical Takeaways

If your autistic child struggles with anxiety:

• Ask therapists about autism-adapted CBT programs
• Look for therapists who modify CBT techniques for autism (using more visuals, concrete examples, etc.)
• Know that improvements may take about 16 weeks of regular sessions

Study Limitations

This was a relatively small study (71 children total). Also, the CBT therapists received special training - results might differ with less experienced providers. More research is needed on long-term effects beyond 3 months.

You can read the original research here.