A scoping review of interventions to target anxiety in autistic adolescents

Autistic adolescents experience anxiety at a higher rate than their non-autistic peers. A scoping review was conducted to explore what interventions have been examined in addressing anxiety in autistic adolescents. The present study utilised methodological guidelines for scoping reviews outlined by PRISMA. PsychINFO, Web of Science and ERIC were subject to a systematic search in February 2024. From an initial identification of 2,795 reports, 18 were included in the study based on the presence of: both pre- and post-quantitative measures of anxiety; the implementation of a specified intervention; and a sample of autistic adolescents. Categories of interventions, intervention efficacy and measures used to establish efficacy were explored. Findings suggest that the currently available studies are inadequate in terms of methodology: including sample size; lack of appropriate standardised measures; and follow-up. Implications for professionals are discussed.