Coping Cats and Autism

The Coping Cat Program for Children with Anxiety and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22588377

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate whether a modified version of the Coping Cat program could be effective in reducing anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Twenty-two children (ages 8-14; IQ ≥ 70) with ASD and clinically significant anxiety were randomly assigned to 16 sessions of the Coping Cat program (cognitive-behavioral therapy; CBT) or a 16-week waitlist. Children in the CBT condition evidenced significantly larger reductions in anxiety than those in the waitlist. Treatment gains were largely maintained at two-month follow-up. Results provide preliminary evidence that a modified version of the Coping Cat program may be a feasible and effective program for reducing clinically significant levels of anxiety in children with high-functioning ASD.

Further Reading – What is the Coping Cat

http://www.psychotherapybrownbag.com/psychotherapy_brown_bag_a/2009/08/the-coping-cat-an-effective-treatment-for-anxiety-disorders-in-children.html

Cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders: a randomized, controlled trial.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19309326

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