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Autism: Managing the Worry Bug: Anxiety Disorders Related to ASDManaging the Worry Bug: Cognitive Behavior Group Treatment for High-Functionign Children & Adolescents with ASD.Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric conditions of childhood. Individuals with developmental disabilities are at increased risk for developing anxiety disorders compared to typically developing children. Children with high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including Asperger Syndrome, are at even greater risk of developing significant anxiety symptoms. These can include separation anxiety, school phobia, specific fears, obsessive worrying and compulsive behaviors. The presence of anxiety symptoms can interfere significantly with the child’s ability to participate in home, school, and community activities. Cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) is the psychosocial treatment of choice for children in the general population who present with clinical anxiety symptoms. However, few studies exist on the systematic use of psychosocial interventions for the treatment of anxiety symptoms in children with ASD.Autism Co-Morbidity – Specific Phobia – 44%– Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – 37%– ADHD – 31%– Major Depression – 24%65% with Asperger’s had co-morbid psychiatric diagnosisSession 1 & 2 – The Development of Anxiety Symptoms in ASD: Implications for InterventionSession 3 – Managing the Worry Bug: Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Anxiety Symptoms in Children with High Functioning ASDSession 4 – Modifying CBT for Other Populations