Presentation 6 – Jessica Hughes

SSBP Virtual Symposium 2023

A Parent-Led Intervention to Reduce Anxiety in Autistic Children with Severe to Profound Intellectual Disabilities: Current Data From the LADDERS Proof-of-Concept Study

Presenting Author : Jessica Hughes

Abstract

A Parent-Led Intervention to Reduce Anxiety in Autistic Children with Severe to Profound Intellectual Disabilities: Current Data From the LADDERS Proof-of-Concept Study

Waite J.¹, Pearson E.¹, Hughes J.¹, Tarver J.¹, Edwards G.¹, Bird M.¹, Greenhill C.¹

¹School of Psychology, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK

Background: Autistic individuals with severe to profound intellectual disability (ID) are at risk of anxiety. However, there are very few evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing anxiety in this group. Psychological approaches such as graded exposure and emotion regulation have been evidenced as effective in reducing anxiety in other clinical populations. Adaptations and applications of interventions to reduce anxiety in autistic people need to consider the specific profile of behaviour, cognition and emotion associated with autism. LADDERS is a 16-week parent-led intervention accounting for aspects of the behavioural profile associated with autism. This pilot study aims to assess whether LADDERS reduces anxiety and avoidance-related behaviour in autistic children with severe to profound ID.

Methods: The study utilises a multiple baseline, single case experimental design. The primary outcome measure (POM) is parent report of child anxiety completed daily during baseline through to 2-weeks post-LADDERS intervention. Secondary outcome measures (SOM) include a direct observation of child anxiety, teacher anxiety diaries and parent-report questionnaires of child wellbeing. All questionnaire measures were completed pre-intervention, post-intervention (week 16) and at 2-month follow up (week 24).

Results: Six parent-child dyads were eligible to proceed from baseline with a 100% retention rate. Visual inspection of POM data suggests a decrease in reported anxiety for 4 out of 6 participants. Preliminary statistical comparison of pre- and post-intervention POM for participants was conducted using Non-overlap of all Pairs (NAP), which is appropriate for smaller datasets. 4 out of 6 NAP values indicate a medium effect size (range = 0.3-0.81). Analysis of the SOM will further examine the effectiveness of the LADDERS intervention.

Conclusions: Preliminary analysis suggests the LADDERS intervention may reduce anxiety and anxiety-related avoidance in autistic children with severe to profound ID. The strengths and limitations of LADDERS will be discussed along with the next steps for the study.

Keywords: Autism, intellectual disability, intervention, anxiety

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The Society for the Study of Behavioural Phenotypes (SSBP)

The Society for the Study of Behavioural Phenotypes (SSBP) is an international, interdisciplinary research society for studying the development, learning and behaviours of individuals with genetic disorders and ways of helping to improve lives. The society is registered as a charity in the UK (No. 1013849) and was set up in 1987.