Conceptualizing and treating social anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a focus group study with multidisciplinary professionals

Spain, D., Rumball, F., O'Neill, L., Sin, J., Prunty, J. and Happé, F. (2017) Conceptualizing and treating social anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a focus group study with multidisciplinary professionals. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 30 (S1). pp. 10-21. ISSN 1360-2322 doi: 10.1111/jar.12320

Abstract/Summary

Background Individuals who have autism spectrum disorders (ASD) commonly experience social anxiety (SA). Disentangling SA symptoms from core ASD characteristics is complex, partly due to diagnostic overshadowing and co-occurring alexithymia. Causal and maintaining mechanisms for SA in ASD are underexplored, but it is feasible that there is an ASD specificity to the clinical presentation, with implications for the development of targeted treatments. Methods Five focus groups were conducted with multidisciplinary professionals to investigate their perspectives about, and approaches to, working with individuals with ASD and SA. Data were analysed thematically. Results Data analysis revealed two overarching themes: conceptualizing SA in ASD and service provision. Our results suggest that adaptations to service provision are pertinent, so as to accommodate inherent impairments that can mediate assessment and intervention. Conclusions Future studies should establish how aspects of the care pathway can be improved for individuals with ASD and SA.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/71141
Identification Number/DOI	10.1111/jar.12320
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Psychopathology and Affective Neuroscience
Publisher	Wiley
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