Evaluation of a randomised control trial of a cognitive behavioural intervention for symptoms of depression in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders

INTERVENTION: The intervention is a cognitive behavioural therapy administered in small groups (4‐5 participants at a time). It consists of 10 weekly sessions with an 11th booster session 4 weeks after the 10th session. Each session will go for about an hour. The interventions are aimed at helping individuals with autism spectrum disorders identify negative emotional states and symptoms of depression and learn strategies to manage and potentially reduce their levels of depressive symptoms. During each session, participants will engage in a variety of tasks, including some that promote the identification of emotions, challenging negative thinking, and learning effective emotion regulation strategies. CONDITION: Depression Autism Spectrum Disorders PRIMARY OUTCOME: Mean Beck Depression Inventory Scores Mean Depression Anxiety Stress Scores (Depression subscale) SECONDARY OUTCOME: Mean Emotion Regulation Questionnaire Scores (Both Suppression and Reappraisal subscales). Mean Toronto Alexithymia Scale Scores INCLUSION CRITERIA: Diagnosis of a high functioning autism spectrum disorder (e.g., Asperger's Syndrome) as verified by the Asperger syndrome (and high‐functioning autism) diagnostic interview. Reporting moderate symptoms of depression or greater on the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale.