I’m wondering whether there have been any studies /experiences with SPACE and ASD. I work as a counselor specialising in childhood Anxiety - many of the children have ASD (High functioning) . Ive noticed a lot more accomodation within these families (than those with kids with straight anxiety).
I would be interested to know whether the treatment would be the same given the extra complexities of ASD (executive function challenges, meltdowns etc). thank you
Hello,
I am also wondering if there any update on the ASD and SPACE study?
I am working with a 13 year old boy who is not attending school presenting with high anxiety in the morning, also diagnosed with ASD Level 2. I am wondering about discussing distance education as an option and/or exploring SPACE with the parents.
Parent of Autistic child - I've read the new ASD article and the results are encouraging. As a parent, however, overwhelm and autistic burnout are real concerns, and we can't treat our neurodvivergent kiddos in the same ways as neurotypical kiddos. I'm hoping to find a pediatric specialist provider (probably virtual - I'm in Southern California) that has trained parents of ASD children and seen successful results. Feel free to contact me directly at astrickland.us@gmail.com Thanks so much.
Hi there, Is there any update on the ASD and SPACE study? I would like to better understand how SPACE allows for reasonable adaptations vs. accommodations. Thanks.
Thanks so much. There has been some disruption in routine with construction in the home and I was thinking that could be related. I will reach out to Yaara if I continue to see this pattern as I monitor during the course of treatment. Looking forward to reading the study results!
The study is still underway so can't update on results of that. Overall experience is showing good results, though not without complexity (such as differentiating between ASD symptoms and anxiety).
For your case, I would be thinking about whether there may be other reasons for increased anxiety or regressions in this time period. Would not assume a direct link to the work of treatment you are doing as some of the symptoms (bedwetting for example) seem particularly less likely to be an outcome of the therapy.
If you would like to arrange for a consultation i would recommend reaching out to Yaara Shimshoni who is doing the supervision for our SPACE/ASD trial.
I'm curious to hear more about your experiences with children with ASD since your original post in October of 2020. I am working with a family right now with a family of a child who has mild ASD. The child has responded well to implementing the plan for the first target and parents are now developing a 2nd target and plan. However, the child has started showing more anxious symptoms and regressing in other areas now like he is waking at night to sleep in parents' bed again, has recently wet the bed which hasn't happened in 6 months, and more meltdowns during the day. I'm assuming that presentation of other anxious symptoms is typical as part of the treatment course but wanted to get your thoughts. Thanks!
The first clinical study of SPACE in ASD is only getting underway now so you'll have to stay tuned for a while for results. Clinically, I agree it can be a good fit and we have had some good results in the cases we have treated.
Hi Carey, I've started a group for parents with children with both ASD + comorbid anxiety or OCD. We're only 4 sessions in, but it has been interesting to try and untangle the difference between reasonable adaptation and accommodation. It seems to be going well and all the parents have been able to identify an anxiety-related target, but it has taken a bit longer than it might without ASD in the mix.
I know other practitioners who have been using SPACE successfully with parents of ASD who report it is a good fit, so hopefully they'll add their experience and advice here!