Randomized Treatment Study Clinical Trial
Official title:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety Disorder in Children With Co-morbid Autism Spectrum Disorder
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often have other difficulties as a result of the disorder. Up to half of the children with ASD are thought to suffer with anxiety in a way that interferes with their wellbeing and every day functioning. In this project the investigators will study the effect of the group program The Cool Kids Anxiety Program: Autism Spectrum Disorder Adaptation (Cool Kids ASD) - an anxiety treatment program specific developed for children with ASD. The investigators expect a decrease in the overall anxiety level together with an increase in the ability of handling anxiety.
The primary objective is to investigate the effect of a manualised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) programme The Cool Kids Anxiety Program: Autism Spectrum Disorder Adaptation (Cool Kids ASD) for anxiety disorder adapted to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in a waitlist controlled design. The investigators will investigate treatment effects on anxiety diagnosis and anxiety symptoms. Further, the investigators will investigate outcomes related to general functioning, co-morbid psychiatric disorders (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), hyperkinetic disorder and depression) and level of ASD symptoms (social and communicative skills). ;