DINO RCT - Treating Anxiety in Children With Autism

Description

Anxiety is prevalent in young children, under 7 years of age, with autism. Yet, few studies have examined anxiety interventions for this age range, and only one anxiety treatment study has included young children with cognitive and language delays. Anxiety treatment models utilizing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), adapted for children with autism, are empirically supported in school-age autistic children. Further, preliminary evidence suggests CBT approaches may reduce intolerance of uncertainty (IU), a mechanistic construct that may contribute to the maintenance of anxiety in autistic children. This study seeks to address the existing gap in anxiety treatment by examining the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a novel, telehealth CBT intervention, DINO Strategies for Anxiety and intolerance of Uncertainty Reduction (DINOSAUR), which targets both anxiety and IU in young autistic children.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety Disorders

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

Anxiety is prevalent in young children, under 7 years of age, with autism. Yet, few studies have examined anxiety interventions for this age range, and only one anxiety treatment study has included young children with cognitive and language delays. Anxiety treatment models utilizing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), adapted for children with autism, are empirically supported in school-age autistic children. Further, preliminary evidence suggests CBT approaches may reduce intolerance of uncertainty (IU), a mechanistic construct that may contribute to the maintenance of anxiety in autistic children. This study seeks to address the existing gap in anxiety treatment by examining the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a novel, telehealth CBT intervention, DINO Strategies for Anxiety and intolerance of Uncertainty Reduction (DINOSAUR), which targets both anxiety and IU in young autistic children.

Treating Anxiety in Young Children With Autism

DINO RCT - Treating Anxiety in Children With Autism

Condition
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Baltimore

Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21211

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Age 4 years 0 months to 6 years 11 months
  • * DSM-5 ASD diagnosis based on clinical impressions and results of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2)
  • * CBCL Anxiety Problems T-score \> 65
  • * SB-5 ABIQ \> 60
  • * Receptive and expressive language age equivalent \> 36 months based on Test of Early Language Development, Fourth Edition (TELD-4)
  • * Parent (or other caregiver) available and willing to attend 14-week intervention
  • * Absence of identifiable neurological (e.g., epilepsy), genetic (e.g., Down syndrome, fragile X, tuberous sclerosis, neurofibromatosis) or severe sensory-motor (e.g., severe vision impairment) conditions
  • * Able to walk independently (a requirement for ADOS-2)
  • * Primary language other than English
  • * Child is in foster care
  • * Child displays severe behavior challenges that prevent participation in treatment groups (i.e., severe tantrums, aggression, or self-injury)
  • * Participating parent experiencing active symptoms of substance abuse or severe mental illness (i.e., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder)

Ages Eligible for Study

4 Years to 6 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.,

Study Record Dates

2026-10-15