This trial examined stepped-care cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) among 96 autistic youth with co-occurring anxiety. Step 1 included an open trial of parent-led, therapist-guided bibliotherapy. Step 2 was family-based CBT for those who did not respond to Step 1 or maintenance for those who did. Eighteen participants (28%) who completed Step 1…

Our study examined co-occurring substance use and major depressive disorders among justice-involved adolescents to inform behavioral health services planning within U.S. criminal justice systems. We used data from the 2015-2017 administrations of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an annual survey of non-institutionalized U.S.…

We used real world data to summarize comorbidities and interventions among patients newly diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Data were derived from two claims-based US healthcare databases; Medicaid and Optum to construct a retrospective cohort of 36,000 patients. Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder (ADHD) was the most common…

Co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses are very common in individuals with ASD. Little is known about the effect that co-occurring psychiatric conditions may have on treatment response to CBT for children with ASD and anxiety. The present study examined the relationship between co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses and response to CBT for anxiety in…

Introduction: Preliminary evidence suggests dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) may be beneficial for persons with intellectual disabilities. This pilot randomized controlled trial aimed to determine the feasibility of adapted DBT for adults with intellectual disabilities and co-morbid psychiatric disorders in the community. Methods: An adapted…

In this study we tested the usability, feasibility, social validity, and effectiveness of Engaged Learners, a behavior support program designed to be integrated into small group reading interventions. Participants included eight Grade 3-5 students with co-occurring reading difficulties and inattention. A concurrent multiple-baseline design was…

Anxiety/obsessive-compulsive disorders are common among youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Two versions of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) are effective, with some advantage for a personalized, adapted version. This study evaluated predictors and moderators of standard CBT and adapted CBT. Youth (N = 167) ages 7-13 were randomized to…

Obsessive-compulsive disorder and autism spectrum disorder commonly co-occur. Adapted cognitive behavior therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults with autism spectrum disorder has not previously been evaluated outside the United Kingdom. In this study, 19 adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder and autism spectrum disorder were…

Introduction: Despite the high prevalence of mental health issues for young people with intellectual disability (ID), young people with ID can struggle to receive the mental health support they need. The aim of this study was to examine a new community-based, clinical mental health service for young people (12-25 years) with co-occurring ID and…

Preschoolers with elevated anxiety symptoms are at high risk not only of developing more severe mental health disorders in later life but are also apt to respond more poorly to intervention if they present with comorbid disruptive behavior. Because early signs of anxiety disorders may not be recognized as such in preschool settings, many children…

A retrospective chart study of patients on open-label aripiprazole treatment was conducted in the Netherlands to add to the knowledge of aripiprazole in children and young adults with mild and borderline intellectual disabilities (IDs). Fifty-three youths, mean age 14.7 ± 3.4 years and mean IQ 64.5 ±13.8, were included. Treatment responders were…

Background: One of the difficulties in assessing and treating PTSD in people with intellectual disability is that it may not present with the typical symptoms associated with the disorder. This may be why there is a dearth of literature on the treatment of PTSD using cognitive behavioural approaches for people with intellectual disability (e.g.…

Preschoolers with elevated anxiety symptoms are at high risk not only of developing more severe mental health disorders in later life but are also apt to respond more poorly to intervention if they present with comorbid disruptive behavior. Because early signs of anxiety disorders may not be recognized as such in preschool settings, many children…

Accurate assessment and effective treatment of mood disorders, particularly depression, is critically important for the millions of youth who are experiencing such symptomatology and who are at risk for a multitude of deleterious outcomes. Although the extant empirical literature provides substantial guidance for the assessment and treatment of…

Maureen Murphy-Ryan offers a clinical look at attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Her thorough definition of ADHD and the diagnoses that may occur simultaneously offer teachers an awareness of what this could look like in a classroom. However, it is only with professional medical input that a true diagnosis can be made and appropriate…