Parents’ Perceptions of Anxiety Treatment for Autistic Children

Abstract

Despite the high prevalence of co-occurring anxiety in autistic children, little is known about parental perceptions of anxiety treatment in the context of autism. This study investigated how 101 U.S. parents perceived the acceptability, effectiveness, and willingness-to-use of four commonly available anxiety treatments for autistic youth: applied behavior analysis (ABA), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medications (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; SSRIs), and alternative interventions (e.g., specialized diets, nutritional supplements). While all four treatments were perceived favorably, parents rated CBT as more acceptable, more likely to be effective, and more willing-to-use over ABA or alternative interventions. Medication was also rated as likely to be effective over alternative interventions, but not over ABA or CBT. Parent perception ratings did not significantly differ between CBT and medication. Overall, CBT and, to a slightly more limited extent, SSRI medications, may be acceptable and approachable treatment options for autistic youth with co-occurring anxiety.