Coaching Children With Anxiety and Autism Through Telehealth

Treatment includes 12 sessions: 2 caregiver teach sessions, 4 caregiver coach sessions in the child-directed interaction (CDI) phase, and 6 caregiver coach sessions in the DADS (Describe situation, Approach situation, give Direct command for child to join situation, provide Selective attention based on child's performance) phase. Throughout the 12 sessions, caregivers are coached through exposures in which the child is given the opportunity to slowly encounter anxiety-provoking factors. In the first session, caregivers are provided psychoeducation on anxiety and parenting practices and taught PRIDE (praise, reflect, imitate, describe, enjoy) skills, which are aimed at increasing approach behaviors and decreasing avoidant behaviors. In the CDI phase, caregivers are coached live via Bluetooth headset through the PRIDE and active ignoring skills. In the last 5 sessions, caregivers are coached through the DADS protocol while working up the Fear Hierarchy with the child.