The effectiveness of an attention-based intervention for school-aged autistic children with anger regulating problems: A randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine if attention-based cognitive behavioral treatment (combining MBCT and DBT) reduces aggressive behavior and improves anger coping in school-aged autistic children.
Results Summary
The treatment reduced temper tantrums and arguing, and increased adaptive coping strategies like diffusion and social support seeking, but had no effect on other aggression domains (e.g., destroying things, physical violence) or maladaptive coping strategies. No impact was observed on secondary outcomes like quality of life or parental stress.
Population
School-aged children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) (n = 51).
Effective Dosage
Nine weekly sessions of individual therapy for children; three weekly psychoeducation group sessions for parents.
Duration
Nine weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
attention-based cognitive behavioral treatment, based on mindfulness cognitive therapy (MBCT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) | decrease | temper tantrums | school-aged autistic children | - | reduced | #1 |
attention-based cognitive behavioral treatment, based on mindfulness cognitive therapy (MBCT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) | decrease | arguing | school-aged autistic children | - | reduced | #2 |
attention-based cognitive behavioral treatment, based on mindfulness cognitive therapy (MBCT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) | no change | destroying things | school-aged autistic children | no significant change | No effect was found | #3 |
attention-based cognitive behavioral treatment, based on mindfulness cognitive therapy (MBCT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) | no change | physical violence | school-aged autistic children | no significant change | No effect was found | #4 |
attention-based cognitive behavioral treatment, based on mindfulness cognitive therapy (MBCT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) | increase | adaptive coping strategies of diffusion | school-aged autistic children | - | increased | #5 |
attention-based cognitive behavioral treatment, based on mindfulness cognitive therapy (MBCT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) | increase | adaptive coping strategies of social support seeking | school-aged autistic children | - | increased | #6 |
attention-based cognitive behavioral treatment, based on mindfulness cognitive therapy (MBCT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) | no change | assertion | school-aged autistic children | no significant change | had no effect | #7 |
attention-based cognitive behavioral treatment, based on mindfulness cognitive therapy (MBCT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) | no change | rumination | school-aged autistic children | no significant change | had no effect | #8 |
attention-based cognitive behavioral treatment, based on mindfulness cognitive therapy (MBCT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) | no change | maladaptive coping direct anger out | school-aged autistic children | no significant change | had no effect | #9 |
attention-based cognitive behavioral treatment, based on mindfulness cognitive therapy (MBCT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) | no change | avoidance | school-aged autistic children | no significant change | had no effect | #10 |
attention-based cognitive behavioral treatment, based on mindfulness cognitive therapy (MBCT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) | no change | children's quality of life (QoL) | school-aged autistic children | no significant change | did not impact | #11 |
attention-based cognitive behavioral treatment, based on mindfulness cognitive therapy (MBCT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) | no change | parental stress-levels | school-aged autistic children | no significant change | did not impact | #12 |
attention-based cognitive behavioral treatment, based on mindfulness cognitive therapy (MBCT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) | no change | parental psychological well-being | school-aged autistic children | no significant change | did not impact | #13 |
Anger regulation is a challenge for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We investigated if attention-based cognitive behavioral treatment, based on mindfulness cognitive therapy (MBCT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), reduces aggressive behavior and improves anger coping in school-aged autistic children (n = 51). Children were randomized to an active-control or a treatment condition. The treatment included nine weekly sessions attention-based individual therapy. Parents in both conditions received three weekly psychoeducation group sessions to heighten awareness of expressed emotion (EE). For aggressive behavior, treatment reduced temper tantrums and arguing. No effect was found on destroying things and physical violence. For anger coping, treatment increased adaptive coping strategies of diffusion and social support seeking, but had no effect on assertion, rumination, and maladaptive coping direct anger out and avoidance. Treatment did not impact secondary outcome measures concerning children's quality of life (QoL) and parental stress-levels and psychological well-being. In conclusion, school-aged autistic children are able to acquire self-regulation skills reducing temper tantrums and arguing and increasing the use of adaptive anger coping strategies. The intervention shows potential to improve behavior and regulation, but little transfer to other domains. Limitations and future directions involving the child's social environment, including parents, siblings, and teachers are discussed. LAY SUMMARY: Children on the autism spectrum often show aggressive behavior. Treatment can train children to be more aware of their emotions. This study found that this can help reducing temper tantrums and arguing and increasing some coping skills, though no impact was found on several other domains of aggression and coping.