Jeffrey J Wood - Böcker

Anxiety in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence-Based Assessment and Treatment begins with a general overview of the history of research on anxiety in ASD and the path towards evidence-based assessment and treatment methods. Thereafter, chapters focus on the nature of ASD and anxiety comorbidity, the assessment of anxiety in ASD, and its treatment. Later chapters are devoted to future directions for research on this topic, including a discussion of anxiety assessment and treatment for adults and minimally verbal individuals.

Anxiety disorders in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can cause substantial distress and impairment over and above that caused by ASD alone. Emerging research on genetic, psychological, psychophysiological, and psychometric aspects of ASD establish anxiety as a valid and necessary treatment target in this population.

This book is designed to help a broad array of providers who work with children with ASD understand cutting-edge, empirically supported treatments for anxiety, including specific treatment plans and strategies.

Presents a balanced discussion of the scientific literature on anxiety in ASD Provides a pragmatic, clinically applied focus that gives readers a 'how-to' guide for the treatment of anxiety in ASD Considers the distinct ways in which anxiety presents in children and adolescents with ASD and the challenges this presents to assessment and treatment Examines emerging areas of anxiety assessment and treatment research in ASD

Ranging from mild and transient to severe and intractable, high levels of anxiety in children can lead to avoiding school, not participating in class, shying away from peer groups, worrying persistently, or even experiencing phobias and acute separation anxiety from parents. Despite the prevalence, effective, evidence-based therapeutic strategies for helping children overcome anxiety have been lacking, leaving psychologists, school counselors, and other child mental health professionals to rely on more generalized CBT and individual therapy approaches that don’t necessarily target the problems at issue. In Child Anxiety Disorders, Wood and McLeod present a clinically-proven treatment protocol based on a collaborative, family-based intervention approach—one that has seen remission rates of 80% in children. Incorporating family therapy strategies and targeted CBT techniques, the authors lay out session-by-session guidelines for implementing the protocol, offering all those who work with and counsel children a hands-on toolkit to effectively resolve childhood anxiety, whether generalized or severe in nature. Preliminary chapters cover anxiety typologies, screening and assessment techniques, family and genetic influences, the nature of evidence-based practices, and other clinical considerations, such as pharmacotherapy. The second part of the book, the treatment manual, presents the 15-session protocol, including optional family therapy modules to strengthen family interactions, and worksheets and handouts to be used in and out of the therapy room.

The only evidence-based program available for teaching social skills to adolescents with autism spectrum disorders Two nationally known experts in friendship formation and anxiety management address the social challenges faced by adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The book helps educators instruct youth on conversing with others, displaying appropriate body language, managing anxiety, initiating and participating in get-togethers, and more. The book is filled with helpful information on ASD to aid teachers who have received little training on the topic. Extremely practical, the book includes lesson plans, checklists, and sidebars with helpful advice. Based on UCLA's acclaimed PEERS program, the only evidence-based approach to teaching social skills to adolescents with ASDContains best practices for working with parents, which is the key to helping kids learn social skillsThe authors discuss the pros and cons of teaching students with ASD in educational settings like full inclusion (good for academics but bad for social skills) and pull-out special day classes (where the reverse is true)Provides a much-needed book for teachers at all levels for helping students develop the skills they need to be successful.