Parent-Led Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Conditions. A Pilot Study.

This study tested a program where parents learn techniques to help their anxious autistic children. 21 parents completed the 'From Timid to Tiger' program. Results showed children's anxiety significantly improved, with over half no longer meeting their anxiety diagnosis 3 months later. Parents also got better at helping their child cope with anxiety without giving in to anxious behaviors. This suggests parent-led approaches can be effective for helping autistic children with anxiety.

This pilot study evaluated a parent-only cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program called 'From Timid to Tiger' for managing anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders. Twenty-one parents of anxious children aged 5-11 years completed the intervention. Results showed significant reductions in child anxiety symptoms as reported by both parents and clinicians. At treatment completion, 38% of children no longer met criteria for their primary anxiety diagnosis, increasing to 57% at 3-month follow-up.

Parents also demonstrated improved ability to manage their child's anxiety without accommodating behaviors. The findings provide preliminary evidence supporting parent-led CBT approaches for anxiety in children with ASD.

Parent-led CBT may be a viable intervention for anxiety in autistic children, potentially addressing access barriers to specialist services. The sustained and improved outcomes at follow-up suggest durability of effects. This approach could complement existing treatments and empower parents with practical anxiety management skills.

This is a pilot study with a small sample size (n=21) and no control group. The study lacks details about randomization, blinding, or comparison conditions. Long-term outcomes beyond 3 months are unknown. Generalizability may be limited due to the preliminary nature of the research.

This article reports on a pilot study of a parent-only cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programme for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and anxiety difficulties. Twenty-one parents of anxious children with ASD (5-11 of age) completed the From Timid to Tiger intervention. Parent outcome measures were assessed at post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up. Analysis indicated significant reductions in both parent and clinician reports of child anxiety symptoms.

Specifically, 38% of children were free of their primary diagnosis at treatment end and this increased to 57% when measured at 3-month follow-up. Positive gains were evidenced regarding parents' ability to manage their child's anxiety without accommodating to it. The results provide preliminary evidence of parent-only CBT programs for children with ASD.