Research Studies

1. Examine the efficacy of a group cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT), Facing Your Fears: Autism Spectrum disorder/Intellectual Disability (FYF: ASD/ID) on anxiety in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Participants will be randomized to FYF: ASD/ID or a treatment as usual (TAU) group. 2. Examine secondary outcomes such as how emotion regulation, problem behavior, parenting self-efficacy, family accommodation of anxiety, and quality of life are affected by participation in FYF: ASD/ID. 3. Examine adolescents independent use of CBT strategies (as assessed by goal attainment scaling [GAS] ratings of strategy use that evaluates level of prompting required) to manage anxiety. Exit interviews will also be completed with participants at 6-month follow-up with the goal to obtain nuanced information regarding continued skill use, advocacy, community engagement, and other skills that would suggest the more sustained impact of FYF:ASD/ID on adolescent transition.

What is the study about? This study investigates an adapted Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) group treatment to determine if it is more effective than therapy services that adolescents with Autism (ASD) and Intellectual Disability (ID) are already receiving. What does the study entail? 1.Teen and caregivers will voluntarily participate in a 14-week CBT therapy program 2.Families will complete assessments before and up to 6 months after the program 3.Current therapies will be tracked Is this study right for me and my child? To qualify for this study, your child must be: 1. Between 12-18 years of age 2. Diagnosed or suspected of having autism spectrum disorder (ASD) AND intellectual disability 3. Struggling with anxiety, fear, worry, or emotion regulation For more information, please contact: fyfstudy@ucdenver.edu