All participants improved on clinician-rated measures of disorder severity, and gains were maintained at follow-up. Visual inspection and reliable change index scores were used to evaluate change. Parent- and child-reported anxiety was also assessed during baseline and treatment. Anxiety and ASD symptoms were assessed for six participants at intake, after baseline, posttreatment, and at 1-month follow-up. This multiple-baseline design study evaluated the initial efficacy of a CBT protocol adapted to address anxiety symptoms and adaptive functioning in this population.

Cognitive-behavioral treatments (CBT) for anxiety, when adapted and expanded to target autism spectrum disorder (ASD) characteristics, may be beneficial, but there is minimal evidence to guide clinicians in their application. The findings indicated that most of the adolescents with autism and a comorbid internalizing disorder partially benefitted from the MBP.Īnxiety disorders are commonly comorbid in adolescents and young adults with high-functioning autism. Decreased worry preceded behavioral improvements in two adolescents, whereas other potential mechanisms of change showed inconclusive results. However, one adolescent reported a deterioration during the intervention and 2-month follow-up phase. Four out of five adolescents showed medium-sized improvement in some of their personal goals. Also, we investigated potential processes of change by analyzing how changes were related over time.įindings indicated that most, but not all, adolescents benefitted from the MBP. We analyzed the effects on their personal goals using visual inspection and statistical analysis for single-case designs. The adolescents and their parents completed a daily questionnaire on their personal goals during a baseline phase, the intervention, a 2-month follow-up phase, and a 1-year follow-up phase. Five adolescents with autism and an internalizing disorder took part in the 9-week MYmind program. The aim of this study was to investigate if and how MYmind, a mindfulness-based program (MBP) for youth with autism, could benefit adolescents with comorbid internalizing disorder(s).Ī person-centered approach with a multiple baseline design was used to investigate the effects of MYmind.

Adolescents with autism often experience comorbid internalizing disorders such as anxiety disorders or depression but the available evidence-based treatments to support the mental health of adolescents with autism are limited.

Mymind program