Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety in Autism

(IAA Trial)

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Erin Kang, PhD

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Montclair State University

Disqualifiers: Severe medical, psychiatric impairment, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 12

Duration: 12-14 weeks

60 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how anxiety treatment affects the brain in autistic children who also experience anxiety. It examines how the Facing Your Fears (FYF) program, a cognitive-behavioral therapy, reduces anxiety symptoms. Participants will either begin with FYF or continue their usual treatment before trying FYF. The trial is ideal for children aged 8 to 14 who have autism, speak English, and experience noticeable anxiety symptoms impacting their daily life. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding anxiety treatment in autistic children.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems like participants can continue their usual treatment, especially if they are in the waitlist control group.

What prior data suggests that the Facing Your Fears (FYF) intervention is safe for autistic individuals with anxiety?

Research shows that the "Facing Your Fears" (FYF) program is generally safe and well-received by participants. In previous studies, over 100 autistic children and teens participated in FYF sessions. The results showed significant reductions in anxiety, with no major negative effects reported. The FYF program uses cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a proven and safe method for treating anxiety.

More than ten detailed reviews have examined FYF's effectiveness and safety for children and teens with autism and anxiety. These reviews confirm the program's safety and highlight its benefits in reducing anxiety symptoms. Overall, the evidence suggests that the FYF program is a safe option for treating anxiety in autistic individuals. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the "Facing Your Fears" (FYF) intervention because it tailors Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) specifically for autistic youth experiencing anxiety. Unlike traditional options that may not address the unique needs of autistic individuals, FYF provides a structured group setting where families participate together, enhancing support and understanding. This approach not only helps youth confront and manage their anxiety but also empowers their caregivers with practical strategies to assist them. By focusing on psychoeducation and specific CBT techniques, FYF aims to offer a more personalized and effective solution for managing anxiety in autism.

What evidence suggests that the Facing Your Fears (FYF) intervention might be an effective treatment for anxiety in autism?

Studies have shown that the Facing Your Fears (FYF) program helps reduce anxiety in autistic children and teens. In this trial, participants in the Treatment Condition will engage in the FYF program, where they are expected to experience better results and noticeable improvements in their anxiety levels. Research has confirmed these improvements through expert evaluations and tests conducted before and after the program. Additionally, versions of FYF offered in schools have also succeeded in helping autistic students manage their anxiety. Overall, FYF uses cognitive-behavioral therapy, a type of talk therapy, to help participants confront their fears, leading to clear benefits. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Erin Kang, PhD

Principal Investigator

Montclair State University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for autistic youth aged 8-14 with anxiety, who can speak English fluently and have a verbal IQ of 70 or above. They must show significant social behavior deficits and anxiety symptoms as indicated by specific questionnaires. A legal guardian must consent to participate in the therapy sessions alongside the child.

Inclusion Criteria

I scored 11 or above on the SCQ for social behavior issues.

I can speak English well enough to take part in the study's tests.

My verbal IQ is 70 or above, as tested.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Waitlist Control

Participants in the waitlist control group continue their usual treatment and are provided with referrals if needed. After the waitlist period, they have the opportunity to participate in the FYF intervention.

12-14 weeks

Weekly sessions

Treatment

Participants in the treatment group receive the Facing Your Fears (FYF) intervention, consisting of 90-minute weekly sessions focusing on psychoeducation and CBT techniques.

12-14 weeks

12-14 weekly sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in neural constructs and anxiety symptoms after the intervention.

2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Facing Your Fears (FYF) Intervention

Trial Overview The study tests how 'Facing Your Fears' (FYF), a group cognitive behavioral therapy, affects brain activity related to anxiety in autistic children compared to those on a waitlist receiving usual treatment. After waiting, control group participants will also receive FYF.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Treatment Condition: Facing Your Fears (FYF) Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The group consists of 4-6 families who will meet for 90-minute weekly sessions for 12-14 weeks. The sessions will focus on psychoeducation and implementing CBT techniques to help autistic youth and their caregivers "face their fears" and tackle their anxiety.

Group II: Waitlist-Control Condition Active Control 1 Intervention

Waitlist Control (WC) with Treatment-as-Usual (TAU). Participants in the WC arm will continue in their usual services and will be provided with referrals if needed. No specific treatment recommendations will be given.For ethical reasons, after completing the TAU waitlist period, families will be provided with an opportunity to participate in the FYF intervention.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Montclair State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

14

Recruited

1,200+

Drexel University

Collaborator

Trials

160

Recruited

48,600+

St. Christopher's Hospital for Children

Collaborator

Trials

10

Recruited

3,300+

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Collaborator

Trials

749

Recruited

11,400,000+

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40778329/

Facing your fears in schools: using the ADIS/ASA to ... - PubMed School-based CBT programs, like Facing Your Fears in Schools (FYF-S), have shown effectiveness in reducing anxiety in autistic students and may ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1750946724001387

Facing Your Fears in autistic youth with co-occurring ... Autistic youth who participated in FYF had better outcomes according to the clinician ratings of anxiety symptoms and diagnostic status at pre- and post- ...

3. medschool.cuanschutz.edu medschool.cuanschutz.edu/jfk-partners/clinical-services/facing-your-fears-program/research--evidence-base--and-publications

Research, Evidence Base, and Publications Results indicated that significant improvements in anxiety were apparent for participating youth (Solish et al. 2020). Facing Your Fears in Schools (FYF-S; ...

4. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1569435/full

Facing your fears in schools: using the ADIS/ASA to ... School-based CBT programs, like Facing Your Fears in Schools (FYF-S), have shown effectiveness in reducing anxiety in autistic students and may ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3471403/

Facing Your Fears in Adolescence: Cognitive-Behavioral ... The purpose of the present study was to develop an intervention for treating anxiety in adolescents with ASD based on a CBT program designed for school-aged ...

6. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23091719/

Facing your fears in adolescence - PubMed - NIH The purpose of the present study was to develop an intervention for treating anxiety in adolescents with ASD based on a CBT program designed for school-aged ...

7. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04666493?term=AREA%5BConditionSearch%5D(Covid-19%20AND%20%22Developmental%20Disabilities%22)%20AND%20AREA%5BStudyType%5D(INTERVENTIONAL)&rank=6

Adapting Anxiety Intervention for Youth With Autism ... This study will examine if a virtual delivery of a group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) program, specifically using "Facing Your Fears" (FYF) curriculum, ...

8. esmed.org esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/download/3117/193546391/

Modified School-Based Facing Your Fears for Students ... To date, at least ten systematic reviews have examined the evidence base for treatment of anxiety among children and youth with ASD using. CBT ...

9. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/232612165_Facing_Your_Fears_in_Adolescence_Cognitive-Behavioral_Therapy_for_High-Functioning_Autism_Spectrum_Disorders_and_Anxiety

(PDF) Facing Your Fears in Adolescence - Anxiety In addition, nearly 46% of teen participants met criteria for a positive treatment response on primary diagnosis following the intervention.