Parent group for teens with autism and anxiety or depression
Tests a parent group for teens with autism and anxiety or depression.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Feasibility Study of UP-A-AST Parent Group for Adolescents With Autism and Co-occurring Anxiety/Depression
Key facts
- Where
- Gothenburg, SwedenSee the site
Where in Sweden
- BUP- Specialmottagning, Sahlgrenska University HospitalGothenburg, SwedenTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Sahlgrenska University Hospital
- Trial code
- NCT07637799
- Record updated
- 10 June 2026
- Original description
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with high rates of psychiatric comorbidity, particularly anxiety and depressive disorders, which contribute to significant impairment for affected youth and their families. Although cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is recommended as a first-line treatment for anxiety and depression in children and adolescents, there is a lack of evidence-based interventions specifically adapted for youth with ASD and co-occurring emotional disorders.Read full original descriptionShow less
Unified Protocol-Adolescent Autism Parent Group (UP-A-AST) for Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Co-occurring Anxiety and/or Depressive Disorders: A Feasibility Study
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with high rates of psychiatric comorbidity, particularly anxiety and depressive disorders, which contribute to significant impairment for affected youth and their families. Although cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is recommended as a first-line treatment for anxiety and depression in children and adolescents, there is a lack of evidence-based interventions specifically adapted for youth with ASD and co-occurring emotional disorders.
The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Children and Adolescents (UP-C/UP-A) is a CBT-based intervention targeting shared mechanisms underlying anxiety and depression. A parent-mediated adaptation, the Unified Protocol-Adolescent Autism Parent Group (UP-A-AST), has been developed to address the specific needs of adolescents with ASD and co-occurring anxiety and/or depressive disorders. Preliminary quality improvement work has shown promising results.
This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of the UP-A-AST Parent Group in a child and adolescent outpatient psychiatric setting. The study will include parents of adolescents aged 12-17 years with ASD and co-occurring anxiety and/or depressive disorders. Outcomes include changes in adolescents' psychiatric symptoms and functional impairment, as well as parents' perceived parenting competence. Additionally, parents' experiences of participating in the intervention will be explored.
Inclusion: Adolescents aged 12-17 years; Clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to DSM-IV, DSM-5, or ICD-10; Current diagnosis of anxiety disorder and/or depressive disorder according to DSM-5; Ongoing contact with a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (BUP) outpatient clinic; Stable psychopharmacological treatment at the time of inclusion (if applicable); Parents has participated in a psychoeducational program on autism within child and adolescent psychiatric services, or is assessed by the clinician to have equivalent knowledge.
Exclusion: Presence of a severe psychiatric disorder, such as psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or severe eating disorder; The adolescent is primarily in need of basic interventions for autism spectrum disorder; High suicide risk or suicide attempt within the past 12 months; Severe self-injurious behavior; Intellectual disability according to DSM-5; Parents are unable to attend all group sessions and/or lack the ability to engage in assigned home practice; Need for an interpreter.