The Effectiveness of an Attention-based Intervention for School Aged Autistic Children With Anger Regulating Problems

The Effectiveness of an Attention-based Intervention for School Aged Autistic Children With Anger Regulating Problems: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Children on the autism spectrum often show aggressive behavior. Treatment can train children to be more aware of their emotions. Investigators studied the effectiveness of an attention-based intervention tailored on aggressive behavior problems and the use of anger coping strategies of school aged autistic children with anger regulation problems.

Investigators studied the effectiveness of an attention-based intervention tailored on aggressive behavior problems and the use of anger coping strategies of school aged autistic children with anger regulation problems. Using a randomized controlled trial (RCT), children were allocated to the attention-based treatment in combination with a psycho-educational parent-training (treatment group) or to the parent-training only (active control group).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Primary diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
• age 8 - 13
• seeking treatment for aggressive behaviour problems

Exclusion Criteria:

• psychotropic medication still being set