Generalized anxiety disorder and autism spectrum disorder- treatment plans

1. GENERALIZED
ANXIETY
DISORDER

2. TREATMENT PLANS
Goals of treatment plan is to
• Reduce overall frequency, intensity, and duration of the anxiety so that daily functioning
is not impaired.
• Learn and implement coping skills that result in a reduction of anxiety and worry, and
improved daily functioning.

3. • Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Relaxation techniques
• Medications
• Metacognitive Therapy.

4. COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY
• CBT has been shown to effectively treat generalized anxiety disorder,
• CBT uses a collaborative approach to treatment, where the client and therapist work
together on aspects of the therapy.

5. • Components :
1. Psychoeducation : Clients learn the purpose of the treatment and how it works.
2. Self-monitoring: : Clients are encouraged to notice what brings on their anxiety and
worry, and what happens when they worry
3. Relxation: Clients are taught different forms of relaxation and they are encouraged to
practice them daily, often more than once a day
4. Cognitive restructuring: The client and therapist work together on thoughts and
beliefs that are unique to the individual and GAD.

6. RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
• Progressive muscle relaxation will help the client to release muscle tension and take
a “time out” from his worries. The technique involves systematically tensing and then
releasing different muscle groups in body. As the body relaxes, the mind will follow
(Esch, Fricchione & Stefano, 2003).

7. METACOGNITIVE THERAPY
• The initial aim of Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) for GAD is not to reduce the amount of
worry, but to alter Type 2 worry (i.e., the negative beliefs that the client holds about
worry; Wells, 2006).
• Thinking about thinking

8. MEDICATIONS
• Anti-anxiety medications are used for the patients suffering from anxiety. Anti-
anxiety benzodiazepine drugs, e.g. alprazolam is suggestible for patient in order to
control excessive worry ( Lader ,1994).

10. AUTISM
SPECTRUM
DISORDER

11. TREATMENT PLANS
• Behavior programs
• Education and learning programs
• Medications

12. • Behavior programs such as Early intensive behavioral intervention, cognitive
behavioral therapy, and social skills training
• „Early intensive behavioral interventions that focus on helping children with their overall
development may improve a young child’s reasoning and communication skills.
Research is not clear about whether they improve social skills, daily living skills, or the
severity of ASD symptoms.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy reduces anxiety in some older children with ASD who do
not have other developmental delays and have average reasoning and language skills

13. • Education and learning programs like Treatment and Education of Autistic and
Communication related handicapped CHildren (TEACCH), use visual tools and
arrange the classroom in ways that are easier to manage for a child with ASD. Some
children in the TEACCH program showed improvement in motor skills (the ability to
walk, run, hold items, or sit up straight), eye-hand coordination, and thinking and
reasoning. Other programs are classroom- or center-based and use “applied behavior
analysis” (commonly known as ABA) strategies like positive reinforcement.

14. • Medications like antipsychotic drugs – can help reduce emotional distress, aggression,
hyperactivity, and self-injury.

15. 1. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). ABA is often used which helps to learn positive
behaviors and reduce negative ones. This approach can be used to improve a wide
range of skills, and there are different types for different situations, including:
• Discrete trial training (DTT) uses simple lessons and positive reinforcement.
• Pivotal response training (PRT) helps develop motivation to learn and communicate.
• Verbal behavior intervention (VBI) focuses on language skills.

16. • 2. Occupational Therapy. This kind of treatment helps your child learn life skills like
feeding and dressing himself, bathing, and understanding how to relate to other
people. The skills he learns are meant to help him live as independently as he can.