Group CBT Reduces Hostile Attribution Bias in Young Adults With ASD Traits

Adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder often face significant hurdles in social communication and adaptive functioning, which can lead to a diminished quality of life [1, 2, 3]. While behavioral therapies such as the Early Start Denver Model (a developmental, relationship-based intervention) show efficacy in younger children, the therapeutic landscape for older patients requires more targeted interventions [3, 4]. Standard cognitive behavioral therapy is frequently employed to manage comorbid anxiety, but a randomized trial of 167 children (mean age 9.9 years) found that cognitive behavioral therapy adapted for autism spectrum disorder significantly improved anxiety scores on the Pediatric Anxiety Rating Scale compared to standard protocols (p =.04) [4]. Clinicians are also evaluating adjuncts such as music therapy, which has demonstrated a significant reduction in total Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist scores (standardized mean difference = -2.52, 95% confidence interval: -3.69 to -1.35), and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to support family mental health [5, 6]. A new study now examines how targeting specific cognitive distortions through group-based interventions might influence social outcomes and well-being in this vulnerable population.