Background: Exposure therapy ("exposure") for youth anxiety is highly underutilized in clinical practice. Asynchronous, online implementation strategies such as online toolkits hold promise as pragmatic approaches for extending the sustainability of evidence-based interventions, but their long-term usage, perceived utility, and impact…

The aim of this pilot study was to assess the efficacy of a desensitization program developed by dentists and occupational therapists, targeted at autistic adults, to encourage their cooperation in the dental setting. The study group consisted of 18 individuals with autism (10 men and 8 women, aged 18 - 45 years). The patients underwent a baseline…

Background: Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) is a NICE recommended treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder within the general population. Ongoing research is now investigating the use of EMDR for individuals with intellectual disability. Alongside quantitative research efforts, it is beneficial to explore the…

Autistic individuals are at greater risk of experiencing adverse and traumatic life events. Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), a psychological therapy, is potentially effective for treating the constellation of difficulties arising from traumatic experiences, as well as mental health conditions. Yet minimal research has focused…

Noise hypersensitivity is a poorly understood symptom of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). For some, problem behaviors co-occur with the aversive noise. Limited literature exists on treating noise hypersensitivity; however, noise hypersensitivity may be related to a specific phobia. This case study utilizes modified Cognitive Behavioral Therapy…

The study investigated whether EMDR is a feasible therapy for adults with ASD and a history of adverse events, and whether it is associated with reductions in symptoms of PTSD, psychological distress and autism. Participants received 6 to 8 weeks treatment as usual (TAU), followed by a maximum of 8 sessions EMDR added to TAU, and a follow-up of…

People with developmental disorders (DD) often display high levels of selective eating, which can result in micronutrient deficiencies. It is therefore essential to explore ways to increase dietary variety in this population. To identify different types of interventions promoting increased acceptance of new foods or dietary variety for DD…

Behaviour modification refers to the techniques used to try and decrease or increase a particular type of behaviour or reaction. This might sound very technical, but it is used very frequently by all of us. Parents use this to teach their children right from wrong. Therapists use it to promote healthy behaviours in their patients. The purpose…

Background: This study explored the effectiveness of eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in persons with mild to borderline intellectual disability (MBID) using a multiple baseline across subjects design. Methods: One child and one adolescent with MBID, who met diagnostic criteria…

This study aimed to critically review all studies that have set out to evaluate the use of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for people diagnosed with both intellectual disability (ID) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Searches of the online databases Psych Info, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, The Cochrane…

Objective: This study examined (a) duration of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as a moderator of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) versus its components (cognitive therapy and self-control desensitization) and (b) increases in dynamic flexibility of anxious symptoms during the course of psychotherapy as a mediator of this moderation. Degree of…

This study examined the effectiveness of sensory desensitization training for 12 nonverbal children with autism to facilitate participation in an electrophysiological study assessing linguistic processing. Sensory desensitization was achieved for 10 of the 12 children and thus allowed collection of usable data in a passive linguistic paradigm.…

This investigation examined the boundaries of inoculation theory by examining how inoculation can be applied to conspiracy theory propaganda as well as inoculation itself (called metainoculation). A 3-phase experiment with 312 participants compared 3 main groups: no-treatment control, inoculation, and metainoculation. Research questions explored…

Objective: To examine the efficacy and maintenance of developmentally adapted prolonged exposure therapy for adolescents (PE-A) compared with active control time-limited dynamic therapy (TLDP-A) for decreasing posttraumatic and depressive symptoms in adolescent victims of single-event traumas. Method: Thirty-eight adolescents (12 to 18 years old)…

Background: Charles Van Riper (1905-94) author, researcher and practitioner, was one of the major contributors to the field of stuttering in the 20th century. His series of Action Therapy videotapes provide a useful model of how therapy was implemented by a master clinician. Aims: Van Riper's session with a client is analysed to reveal how voices…