Publication date: Oct 11, 2024

Background: Children with autism often present with comorbid anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective, evidence-based approach to treating anxiety, but information on youth with autism and anxiety is limited. Coping Cat is a 16-week CBT intervention for children with anxiety but its use in a group telehealth format in an urban, predominantly Hispanic population is limited. Objectives: (a) To examine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a short-term CBT telehealth group for youth with autism and anxiety disorders in an urban, predominantly Hispanic population and (b) to examine satisfaction with the intervention. Methods: Single-arm pilot study that consisted of a 16-week telehealth CBT group therapy was based on a modified Coping Cat curriculum. Youth with autism and anxiety disorders who were on a waitlist for psychotherapy at an urban developmental center were invited to participate. Anxiety was assessed pre- and posttreatment using the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders, parent and self-report. Results: Eighteen children were enrolled; 16 children completed the program. Mean age was 11 +/- 2. 5 years (8-15 years); 89% males, 61% Hispanic. There was a significant reduction in pre-post intervention in symptoms of overall anxiety (parent: 41. 0 +/- 18. 5 to 31. 0 +/- 16. 3 p ≤ 0. 003, self: 25. 9 +/- 12. 8 to 14. 1 +/- 7. 8 p ≤ 0. 001), panic disorder (parent: 8. 1 +/- 7. 0 to 4. 1 +/- 4. 2 p = 0. 013, self: 5. 1 +/- 4. 8 to 0. 8 +/- 0. 9 p = 0. 004), and separation anxiety disorder (parent: 7. 5 +/- 4. 8 to 5. 7 +/- 4. 4 p = 0. 041, self: 5. 8 +/- 3. 3 to 3. 8 +/- 2. 4 p = 0. 018) as per parent and self-reports. Self-report data also revealed a significant reduction in symptoms of social anxiety disorder (6. 5 +/- 3. 5 to 3. 9 +/- 2. 7 p ≤ 0. 001). Parents and children reported satisfaction with the group. Conclusion: In this small, predominantly Hispanic population of youth with autism and anxiety disorder, 89% of families were compliant with a group telehealth CBT intervention. Parents and youth reported a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms and program satisfaction. A modified group CBT program via telehealth represents a feasible intervention for youth with autism and anxiety disorders.

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