Translational Biomarkers and Therapeutic Development for Very Young Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Co-occurring Anxiety
Boston Children's Hospital
Summary
A within-subjects design will be used for this preliminary investigation of four biomarkers across two contexts of use: prediction of treatment response (i.e., stratification) and quantification of response (i.e., change).
Description
A within-subjects design will be used for this preliminary investigation of four biomarkers across two contexts of use: prediction of treatment response (i.e., stratification) and quantification of response (i.e., change). The main questions the study aims to answer are: * To evaluate the stability of each potential biomarker over a 3-4-week retest period. The biomarkers are hypothesized to have adequate stability (ICC: \> .5) in the absence of intervention. * To determine which baseline biomarker scores predict response to a manualized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program for treating…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 3–6 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 3;0 and 6;11 years old * A diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder using DSM-5 diagnostic criteria * A diagnosis of anxiety disorder using DSM-5 diagnostic criteria * Use of fluent 2-3 word phrases or fluent speech (i.e., Module 2 or 3 for ADOS-2) * Cognitive ability (either verbal or non-verbal IQ) \> 80 using the DAS-2 * A parent/guardian who is willing/able to participate and respond to interviews/surveys in English and willing/able to participate in Being Brave parent training in English and support homework activities. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of s…
Interventions
- BehavioralBeing Brave
Being Brave is a manualized cognitive-behavioral (CBT) intervention and includes several features that are well-aligned with the needs of autistic children: (1) an intensive parent component; (2) use of visual aids to lay out coping plans and exposure hierarchies, psychoeducation about recognizing fear and anxiety, and scripted language for coping; (3) repeated practice of well-rehearsed coping plans for novel or challenging situations; and (4) exposure exercises for social anxiety and practice of basic social skills. The intervention includes 16 weekly sessions (1 hour each). Delivery of Being Brave is flexible to allow for additional or less practice or exposure opportunities.
Location
- Boston Children's Hospital, Two Brookline PlaceBrookline, Massachusetts