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| Should/Could BCBAs Intervene for Anxiety and Stress-Related Behavior Among Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder? |
| Tuesday, May 31, 2016 |
| 4:00 PM–4:50 PM |
| Roosevelt, Hyatt Regency, Bronze East |
| Area: AUT/CBM; Domain: Translational |
| Chair: Michele D. Wallace (California State University, Los Angeles) |
| JOHN M. GUERCIO (Benchmark Human Services) |
| DUANE A. LUNDERVOLD (University of Central Missouri) |
| KATRINA OSTMEYER (Integrated Behavioral Technologies, Inc.) |
| Abstract: Anxiety disorders are a highly prevalent co-occurring condition among children, adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ranging from specific phobia to obsessive-compulsive disorder. Co-morbid anxiety disorders have a significant negative impact on quality of life, in increased disability and social exclusion. Respondent extinction procedures (exposure), combined with teaching incompatible behavior (relaxation training), and escape/avoidance extinction (response prevention) have been shown to be highly effective in lessening fear/anxiety and escape/avoidance across all sub-types of anxiety disorders. Research syntheses have indicated that the addition of cognitive restructuring adds little to treatment outcomes. The purpose of this panel discussion is to: (a) briefly review the research on ASD and comorbid anxiety disorders; (b) raise the question as to whether BCBAs should and could provide intervention for comorbid anxiety disorders; (c) discuss the graduate education and training needed to target this response class; and, (d) examine the legal and ethical issues related to this area of applied behavior analysis. |
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