Transdiagnostic Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety and Depression in Autistic Adolescents

Prior treatment

• The child is receiving concurrent psychotherapy for anxiety/depression.
• The child has initiated psychotropic medications within 12 weeks of assessments (or 4 weeks for stimulants/benzodiazepines) or during therapy, and/or has changed dosage of psychotropic medication within 6 weeks of assessment (or 2 weeks for stimulants/benzodiazepines) or during therapy.

Other illness

• The child has a diagnosis of psychotic disorder and/or conduct disorder.

Other

• The child has severe suicidal/homicidal ideation and/or self-injury requiring immediate intervention and/or a higher level of care.
• The child has limited verbal communication abilities.

• Child is between the ages of 10-17 at consent/assent.
• The child meets criteria for autism spectrum disorder using evidence-based assessment approaches (e.g., Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition; Childhood Autism Rating Scale-Second Edition).
• The child meets criteria for clinically significant anxiety and/or depression symptoms based on elevated scores on the Pediatric Anxiety Rating Scale modified for Autism Spectrum Disorder (\>11) and/or the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (\>39).
• Anxiety/depressive disorder is the primary presenting problem as determined by administration of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview
• One parent/guardian is able and willing to participate.
• The parent/guardian is 18 years or older.
• Both parent and child can read and/or understand English.
• Both parent and child reside in Texas.