The purpose of this study was to investigate comorbid psychiatric disorders and psychotropic medication use among adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ascertained as children during a 1980’s statewide Utah autism prevalence study (n = 129). Seventy-three individuals (56.6 %) met criteria for a current psychiatric disorder; 89 participants (69.0 %) met lifetime criteria for a psychiatric disorder. Caregivers reported a psychiatric diagnosis in 44 participants (34.1 %). Anxiety disorder had the highest current and lifetime prevalence (39.5 and 52.7 %, respectively). Participants with intellectual disability (n = 94, 72.8 %) were significantly less likely to have community-based diagnoses of anxiety (χ2 = 5.37, p = 0.02) or depression (χ2 = 13.18, p < 0.001) reported by caregivers. Seventy-six participants (58.9 %) were taking ≥1 psychotropic medication. Comorbid psychiatric disorders occur frequently in adults with ASD, though identifying these disorders poses a challenge in community settings. A greater understanding of the presentation of these conditions within this population will increase assessment validity and the potential for efficacious intervention.

These case examples depict the adaptation of Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy (ERRT) for use with children. ERRT was developed for trauma-related nightmares in adults. The current study modified ERRT to be developmentally appropriate for children, incorporating child appropriate language, interactive activities, and parent coaching. The modified treatment, called cognitive-behavioral therapy for nightmares in children (CBT-NC), added additional stress-management components to further adapt the treatment for children with anxiety-related nightmares and no trauma history. These case studies describe the course of treatment for two girls whose nightmares had different etiologies—one experiencing trauma-related nightmares and the other experiencing idiopathic anxiety-related nightmares. This was the first application of CBT-NC for idiopathic nightmares. Both children responded positively to treatment, and treatment gains were maintained at 3- and 6-month follow-up. Improvements were seen not only for nightmare frequency and distress, but overall sleep also improved. Findings demonstrate that this adapted nightmare treatment for children is feasible and promising for nightmares in children, regardless of nightmare etiology.

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