Impact of Modified Cognitive Behavior Therapy on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is Neuro Developmental in origin with triad deficit (DSM-IV, APA, 1994), co-morbid behaviors. Modified Cognitive Behavior Therapy (MCBT) techniques Multimodal program, Exposure Response prevention, have been proven successful for people with ADHD and OCD respectively. The present study aims at finding the impact of these techniques in the treatment of co-morbid behaviors (attention deficit, obsessiveness, repetitive-stereotypical behavior) in ASD. Twelve children (Age: Mean=6.25, SD=2.22) diagnosed with ASD selected, Pre-test conducted to assess co-morbid behaviors with ADHD Scale, BASIC-MR Behavioral Scale, Vineland Social Maturity Scale and Attention span (calculated time spent on a particular task), found no difference. Planned intervention with MCBT for 6 participants (experimental group), the rest 6 participants (control group) underwent traditional occupational, speech therapy. Total intervention is for a period of 16 weeks (45 minutes per day). End of 16th week post-test assessed a significant improvement in behaviors. Concludes effectiveness of MCBT (p<0.001).


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