Behavioral Activation for Treatment of Depression in Adolescents With Autism

Behavioral Activation for Treatment of Depression in Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study

In this study, the investigators will examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a novel, behavior-based approach for treatment of depression symptoms in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder or ASD (i.e., Behavioral Activation for Adolescents with ASD, BA-A).

In this study, the investigators will examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a novel, behavior-based approach for treatment of depression symptoms in adolescents with ASD (i.e., Behavioral Activation for Adolescents with ASD, BA-A). BA-A is a 12-session manualized treatment that utilizes established behavioral activation strategies and incorporates common mental health treatment adaptations for young people with ASD. For this project, the investigators will pilot BA-A with 23 adolescents (12-17 years of age) with ASD and clinically significant depression symptoms. To investigate BA-A feasibility, the investigators will examine treatment session attendance and therapist treatment fidelity. To investigate BA-A acceptability, the investigators will utilize a mixed methods approach, inclusive of surveys and qualitative interviews, to inform BA-A protocol refinement. To investigate BA-A preliminary efficacy, the investigators will examine depression symptoms, as well as secondary outcome measures, at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and one-month follow-up.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Previous diagnosis of ASD by a qualified health care provider
• Children's Depression Inventory, Second Edition (CDI2) parent-report and/or self-report T- score ≥ 65
• Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, Second Edition (WASI-II) Full Scale IQ, Two-Subtest Form (FSIQ-2) ≥ 85
• Participation of a parent or legal guardian living in the same home who can read and write in English at or above the fifth grade level
• Teens must have been on a stable dose of medications for mood, anxiety, or behavior for at least three months prior to enrollment and have no planned medication changes during study period
• Not actively participating in another psychotherapy during study period

Exclusion Criteria:

• High suicide risk
• Physical aggression
• Psychotic and/or manic symptoms