Comparing Two School Programs to Reduce Anxiety and Improve Emotion Regulation in Autistic Students Ages 8 to 14

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are comparing two school-based programs, Facing Your Fears-School Based FYF-SB and Zones of Regulation ZOR, to see which is more effective at reducing anxiety and improving emotion regulation in autistic students aged 8 to 14 years. This study focuses on autistic youth who experience anxiety and aims to help schools better support their mental health, especially students from underserved communities. The trial will also assess how well each program is accepted by students, caregivers, and school providers. The study involves 200 autistic students with anxiety who will be randomly assigned to one of the two programs for 12 weeks. FYF-SB uses cognitive-behavioral therapy CBT strategies focused on anxiety reduction through psychoeducation and gradual exposure to fears. ZOR teaches students to recognize and manage emotions by categorizing feelings into four zones using color codes and providing strategies to regulate emotions. Trained school providers will deliver the programs to small groups of students in their schools. Participants will be evaluated before and after the intervention, with a follow-up six months later. Assessments include anxiety and emotion regulation measures completed by students, caregivers, teachers, and independent evaluators. The study will also track school attendance, disciplinary actions, academic participation, and satisfaction with the programs. Researchers will examine treatment effects and gather feedback through surveys and interviews to understand how feasible and acceptable each program is in school settings.

A Comparison of Two School Based Interventions to Manage Anxiety in Autistic Students