PSYCH 206 A04

Anxiety Problems In Young People With Asperger Syndrome- A Case Series

Abstract

One of the more commonly used interventions used for the Autism Spectrum

Disorder (ASD) is the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). In ASD cases wherein

the client also has comorbid anxiety or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, CBT is the

intervention method focused on. Patient-tailored adjustments were made alongside

the CBT treatment, and the effects of these techniques had on the patients were

assessed in terms of their posited efficacy. The case series studied on this research

support previous findings that CBT is a helpful tool in decreasing anxiety and

aggressive symptoms. However, no conclusive statements were made regarding the

findings of the study.

Basic Assumptions

The paper studies the effectiveness of the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) on

adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), particularly in treating comorbid

anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This study focuses on the

accommodation of the individual profiles and neuropsychological processing style of

the participants, and the individualized mode of treatment using the Cognitive

Behavioural Therapy. In light of the measures of anxiety and OCD symptoms taken

beforehand these individually-tailored modifications, included goal-setting,

collaborative dialogue, and identifying, challenging, and testing of negative thoughts

and beliefs to generate alternative ones. However, taking into consideration the

different neuropsychological profiles of the participants, the use of the CBT model

with its corresponding modifications and considerations holds no specific

assumptions regarding its effectivity.

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Argumentation

While there were no particular assumptions stated or implied in the study, the paper

presented the effects and outcomes of the approach. The individualized CBT

approach proved useful in improving anxiety and aggressive tendencies of the

participants. Their scores on anxiety-measuring and OCD tests decreased. The

participants also showed more control of their feelings and they were more open

about expressing them. Collaborative and open discussion of emotions may have

been significant influences since these allowed the participants to understand and

regulate their feelings. The sessions gave them opportunities to generate alternative

rational thoughts to their existing anxiety-related behaviour, feelings, and thoughts.

Giving the participants realistic goals and opportunities to generate their own

behavioural experiments also allowed them to thoroughly understand the model and

subsequently achieve the goals to be attained. However, in spite of the

improvements in anxiety-related behaviours, self-reports showed that only a few saw

improvement on their anxiety and there were even two cases who reported an

increase.

Relevance

This study focuses on a current Psychological issue which is about the Autism

Spectrum Disorder. The number of ASD cases has increased significantly over the

past years and it has become a relevant yet underrated issue. The significance of

this paper in relation to the said disorder relies in the addressing of the most

common ASD comorbidities- anxiety and the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It

acknowledges the fact that for therapeutic interventions, a cognitive model fit for the

clients should be developed. Additionally, this paper presented points for

consideration for future therapy sessions with clients with ASD. It pointed out the
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challenges therapists face when dealing with these clients. The paper also asserts

for more research on the comorbidity of ASD with anxiety and OCD. An

understanding of the neuropsychological processing of the cognitive processes

regarding the anxiety development and maintenance of these clients should be

made. These findings provide useful information for future therapy sessions and

practices with ASD clients.

Evaluation of Conclusions

The study used standard measures that were taken at the beginning and end of the

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy treatment. While these measures give a more

objective representation of the anxiety and OCD symptoms of the participants, self-

reports provide a more subjective account of the effects of the therapy. Based on the

individual cases of the participants, all accounted for an improvement in their OCD or

anxiety-related symptoms and behaviours. Parental reports, a few school reports,

and a general decrease in their anxiety measure scale and OCD measure scale

scores supported these outcomes. In spite of the methods and techniques being

individualized, the overall CBT techniques were used to all participants. The

methods may have varied but the results were generally consistent. Additionally, if

the points for improvement are considered and applied, the findings could be more

compelling. However, the applicability of these findings in different settings and

situations may be more challenging. Its success relies on various factors such as the

effectivity of the therapist, the suitability of the environment, and the responsiveness

of the client among others. If the external factors and conditions are relatively

uniform, this study has the potential to be applicable across diverse situations.