“Less Stress" - Treatment of Anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorders (2016-2018) 

Project Team Members (OUS): Kristin Romvig Øvergaard

Collaborators; Jan Hammer (The Norwegian Autism association); Jon Fauskanger Bjåstad (SUS); Tony Attwood (Griffith University, Australia)

The project goal was to test a treatment program under development and assess the potential effectiveness of the treatment for anxiety in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The ultimate goal was that the program would be become part of clinics' repertoire in treating children with ASD and anxiety.

The program "Less Stress" was finalized based, among other things, on experiences from this project. The final version of "Less Stress" will also have two additional components for possible concurrent depression and behavioral problems, which are not uncommon in ASD. The project's innovation potential lies in patient benefit, clinical and health value, as well as the improvement of healthcare services.

Project Description 

Anxiety disorders are frequently observed in children and youth with ASD, but adequate treatment for these additional challenges is rarely received. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has proven to be helpful for anxiety in ASD, but an individually based CBT program in Norwegian is lacking.

"Less Stress" is a new visually oriented CBT program under development by Jon F Bjåstad, in collaboration with Tony Attwood. "Less Stress" builds on Attwood's previously translated program "Exploring Emotions." The innovation lies in the focus on exposure; children practice what they fear, which has generally been crucial for improvement in anxiety.

Publications:

Oerbeck B, Overgaard KR, Attwood T, Bjaastad JF (2021) “Less stress” -a pilot study on a cognitive behavioral treatment program for anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders. Scand J Child Adolesc Psychiatr Psychol, 9, 30-40. doi: 10.21307/sjcapp-2021-005