Depressive Symptoms in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Application of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in School

Children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often exhibit symptoms of various mental disorders along with the defining features of ASD. High rates of several mental disorders have been reported in children and adolescents with or without ASD, such depression, emotional regulation difficulties, and can occur in children of all ages with evidence of ASD. Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy (CBT), through various therapeutic techniques and programs, can help children and adolescents with evidence of autism to recognize and manage their symptoms. The present study aims to examine whether a therapeutic CBT program can improve symptoms of depression a in children and adolescents with elements of ASD in the school context. Data were collected from 102 students (intervention group, N=67), (control group, N=35), Primary and Secondary Education with evidence of autism and coexisting mental disorder aged 7-16 years, through therapeutic intervention and quantitative research. The research was carried out within the school framework with the consent of the children's parents during the 2021-2023. A significant reduction in symptoms of depression were observed after the intervention. There wasn’t a gender difference before intervention. CBT programs are important tools for reducing symptoms of depression in children and adolescents with or without ASD. Keywords: [symptoms of depressions, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy, school context]自闭症谱系障碍（Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD）患儿及青少年往往在具备自闭症核心特征的同时，伴随多种精神障碍症状。既往研究显示，无论是否合并自闭症谱系障碍，儿童及青少年群体中多种精神障碍的患病率均较高，例如抑郁情绪与情绪调节困难，此类症状在各年龄段的自闭症患儿中均有出现。认知行为疗法（Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy, CBT）依托多样的治疗技术与干预方案，可帮助自闭症患儿及青少年识别并管理自身症状。 本研究旨在探讨在校园场景下，认知行为疗法干预方案能否改善兼具自闭症谱系特征与共病精神障碍的儿童及青少年的抑郁症状。研究共纳入102名7-16岁的中小学学生，其中干预组67人、对照组35人，受试对象均确诊自闭症且共患精神障碍。研究采用治疗性干预结合量化研究方法收集数据，于2021-2023年间依托校园框架开展，已获得患儿家长的知情同意。 干预后，受试群体的抑郁症状得到显著缓解。干预前未发现性别差异。认知行为疗法方案可作为改善伴或不伴自闭症谱系障碍的儿童及青少年抑郁症状的有效工具。 关键词：抑郁症状、自闭症谱系障碍、认知行为疗法、校园场景