Treating Anxiety in Autistic Children and Adolescents

The prevalence of anxiety disorders in the autistic population ranges greatly, with studies citing figures as low as 11% and other studies reporting figures up to 84%. Many factors contribute to these discrepancies in findings including the way that anxiety is measured, clinician bias, the fluctuating nature of anxiety disorders, and the way that anxiety presents in autistic individuals. Further, there is some debate about whether or not anxiety disorders are truly separate and distinct from the core symptoms of ASD or whether the presence of certain anxiety symptoms represents a subtype of ASD. While practicing clinicians may not see the immediate need to be bogged down with the details of this debate, it is essential for clinicians to understand both typical and atypical presentations of anxiety in the ASD population. The approach to treating anxiety will depend on how the anxiety symptoms relate to the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. A skilled clinician should therefore have a deep understanding of how the core symptoms of ASD can predispose an individual to anxiety as well as how previously established empirically supported treatments for anxiety can be adapted to meet the needs of autistic clients. This workshop offers specific strategies and case examples to treat generalized anxiety, social phobia, specific phobias, selective mutism, OCD, and body focused repetitive behaviors. Additionally, approaches to treat the distress and anxious symptoms relating to sensory experiences, social settings, and disruptions in routines will be discussed along with interventions for specific challenges including picky eating, stimming, and pathological demand avoidance.