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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Autism spectrum disorders and anxiety: measurement and treatment

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description

Abstract Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that have, in common, deficits in communication and social interaction and present repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. There is a great variability of symptoms associated with ASD. Among them, anxiety disorders are perhaps one of the most frequent and most developmentally disruptive in children, youths, and adults, which generate alterations in family life also. The treatments based on cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) have the highest scientific evidence. In a population with ASD, both program adaptations and specific programs have been developed. Due to its characteristics, the most studied population involves people with high-functioning ASD or Asperger’s syndrome. The measurement of anxiety aims to detect possible disorders, evaluate compliance with diagnostic criteria, and establish the baseline of possible treatments. It is therefore an inseparable part of the CBT-based intervention. Technological development offers a great number of opportunities to improve our clinical practice. The use of smartphones, video modeling, teleassistance, virtual or augmented reality, or the use of robots gives different examples that we will analyze in this chapter.