Table 1 Anxiety treatment studies for young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

[9]

3–7-year-old children with ASD and anxiety disorders;

IQ ≥ 80

CBT

Being Brave

(n=16)

6 parent training sessions

7 parent-child sessions

Significant decreases in anxiety with 40% and 82% remission rates of any anxiety disorder at post-treatment and 4-month follow-up, respectively^a

[8]

4–6-year-old children with ASD and clinically significant anxiety;

absence of ID^b

mCBT^c

Fun with Feelings

(n=31)

10 parent-only sessions

No change in anxiety symptoms at post-treatment or at 3-month follow-up^d

[3]

4-year-old children with ASD and behavioral inhibition;

IQ not assessed

CBT

Cool Little Kids

(n=26)

6 parent-only sessions

Active treatment group had a significantly lower rate of anxiety disorders compared to controls at 1-year follow-up^e

[26]

4-8 year-old children with ASD

IQ ≥ 70

Pivotal Response Treatment

(n=21)

48 sessions over 16 weeks (5h of child intervention; 2h parent training per week)

Children displayed a significant reduction in anxiety and internalizing symptoms after treatment^f