The use of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) as a treatment for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been explored in a number of trials. Whilst CBT appears superior to no treatment or treatment as usual, few studies have assessed CBT against a control group receiving an alternative therapy. Our randomised controlled trial compared use of CBT against person-centred counselling for anxiety in 36 young people with ASD, ages 12–18. Outcome measures included parent- teacher- and self-reports of anxiety and social disability. Whilst each therapy produced improvements in participants, neither therapy was superior to the other to a significant degree on any measure. This is consistent with findings for adults.

Abstract:Objectives: This article presents work undertaken to establish inter-rater reliability for a measure of treatment fidelity and a measure of therapeutic alliance for therapies for anxiety for young people with autism spectrum disorders. The discussion and decision-making processes behind achieving consensus of raters are rarely published. Margolin et al. (1998) have highlighted this issue and called for researchers to communicate the details of their observational and rating procedures. This article is a response to their call for greater transparency so that these methods are readily accessible for comparison with other studies. Methods: Participants were young people with autism spectrum disorders receiving treatment for anxiety, clinical staff treating these young people and the independent raters assessing the treatment sessions.We report: (a) the processes involved in establishing inter-rater reliability for two instruments (b) the results obtained with a sample of young people with autism spectrum disorders using these instruments.Results and conclusions Results demonstrate that it was possible to attain satisfactory inter-rater reliability with each of these two instruments with a client group with autism spectrum disorders, even though the instruments were originally designed for typically-developing populations. Powered by Editorial Manager® and ProduXion Manager® from Aries Systems Corporation&*:r,,:l-*1',k*H 6.ln cases where the article is a translation of a previously published article, the author(s) warrant(s) that full permission has been obtained to carry out and publish the translation of the article from its original language, and that it in no way infringes the rights of others (including the holders of copyright in material used within the originalArticle).7. The author(s) warrant(s) that the article contains no plagiarised material and agree(s) that the article may be checked for plagiarism and other ethical questions (including checks using automated software packages). The Publisher reserves the right to withdraw or retract any article for which, in its reasonable opinion, valid concerns exist over the originality of the article, or its compliance with the Journal's ethical policy. Maney's plagiarism and ethical policy may be read in fullat www. manevonline.com/paoe/authors/publishinqethics-oeneral."lf the author(s) cannot assign copyright for any or all the supplementary material, the clause in parentheses should be struck out and a licence to publish provided for this material. lf copyright is held by a third party, permission to reproduce this material must be obtained from the copyright holder as laid out in paragraph 5 of this form and submitted to the publisher. Copyright AssignmentI confirm that all the co-authors, named above in 1, know that the article has been submitted to the Journal. ')' to ensure the widest possible disseminatiori ""J pr"t".!ion ot irticter pr6ri.n"o in tlie'Journal, we request authors to assign worldwide copyright in print, digital and otneimiiia in t...

-Background and Objectives: Therapists, including psychiatrists, may act as attachment figures. Rotational training schemes necessitate the regular and frequent ending of therapeutic relationships. The effects on patients are rarely studied. This is a pilot prospective study to evaluate whether relative distress in adult psychiatric in-patients follows change in trainee psychiatrists; whether differences in distress are mediated by patient attachment style; and to provide data for power calculation.Methods: Twenty adult in-patients were assessed using the Mental Health Inventory 5 (MHI-5) scale before and after changeover of psychiatric trainees; attachment style was assessed prior to the changeover. Qualitative data were also collected.Results: The average MHI-5 scores improved with time (p = 0.021). Less improvement correlated with higher score on preoccupied attachment (rho = 0.41, p 1-tail <0.05). A nonsignificantly stronger improvement was seen with secure/dismissing styles compared to preoccupied/fearful styles (p 1-tail = 0.08). Based on these results, a study of at least 87 patients is likely to produce a statistically significant result. Most patients were not aware a staff change was due and would like to be informed by their clinical team.Conclusions: Relative distress following junior trainee changeover may have a link with patients' attachment styles.