An Initial Case Series of Intensive Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy for Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Published in: Child psychiatry and human development Vol. 49; no. 1; pp. 9 - 19
• Main Authors: Iniesta-Sepúlveda, Marina, Nadeau, Joshua M., Ramos, Amaya, Kay, Brian, Riemann, Bradley C., Storch, Eric A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01-02-2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescents; Autism; Autistic adolescents; Behavior modification; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Child & adolescent psychiatry; Child and School Psychology; Child psychology; Cognitive ability; Cognitive behavioral therapy; Cognitive therapy; Obsessive compulsive disorder; Original Article; Psychiatry; Psychology; Response prevention; Severity; Teenagers; Autism spectrum disorders; Intensive treatment; Obsessive–compulsive disorder; Cognitive–behavioral therapy; Adolescents
• ISSN: 0009-398X; 1573-3327
• DOI: 10.1007/s10578-017-0724-1

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is prevalent among youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) with ASD-specific modifications has support for treating OCD in this population; however, use of intensive CBT in youth with ASD and severe OCD has not been tested. The current study examined the preliminary effectiveness of an individualized intensive CBT protocol for OCD in adolescents with ASD. Nine adolescents (aged 11–17 years) completed a regimen of intensive CBT (range 24–80 daily sessions) incorporating exposure with response prevention (ERP). Treatment materials, language and techniques were modified in accordance with evidence-based findings for this population. Seven of nine participants (78%) were treatment responders, and large treatment effects (
d
 = 1.35–2.58) were obtained on primary outcomes (e.g., obsessive–compulsive symptom severity). Preliminary findings suggest that an intensive CBT approach for OCD is effective among adolescents with ASD.