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Psychosocial Treatments Targeting Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents and Adults on the Autism Spectrum: Review of the Latest Research and Recommended Future Directions

  • Autism Spectrum Disorders: Treatment, Services, Outcomes, and Community Functioning in Adolescents and Adults (ES Brodkin, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This synthesis of treatment research related to anxiety and depression in adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) focuses on the scientific support for various forms of psychosocial interventions, useful adaptations to standard interventions, and engagement of candidate therapeutic mechanisms.

Recent Findings

There is considerable evidence for the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat co-occurring problems with anxiety, but there has been relatively little research on treatment of co-occurring depression. Multiple mechanisms of treatment effect have been proposed, but there has been little demonstration of target engagement via experimental therapeutics.

Summary

Comorbidity between ASD and anxiety and/or mood problems is common. Although there is evidence for the use of CBT for anxiety, little work has addressed how to effectively treat depression. There is emerging support for alternative treatment approaches, such as mindfulness-based interventions. We encourage rigorous, collaborative approaches to identify and manipulate putative mechanisms of change.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Box 870348, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487-0348, USA

    Susan W. White, Grace Lee Simmons & Isaac C. Smith

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA

    Katherine O. Gotham

  3. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Caitlin M. Conner & Carla A. Mazefsky

  4. Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Kelly B. Beck

Authors
  1. Susan W. White
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  2. Grace Lee Simmons
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  3. Katherine O. Gotham
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  4. Caitlin M. Conner
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  5. Isaac C. Smith
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  6. Kelly B. Beck
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  7. Carla A. Mazefsky
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Correspondence to Susan W. White.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Autism Spectrum Disorders: Treatment, Services, Outcomes, and Community Functioning in Adolescents and Adults

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White, S.W., Simmons, G.L., Gotham, K.O. et al. Psychosocial Treatments Targeting Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents and Adults on the Autism Spectrum: Review of the Latest Research and Recommended Future Directions. Curr Psychiatry Rep 20, 82 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-018-0949-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-018-0949-0

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