A Novel Intervention to Address Fears in Children with Asperger Syndrome: A Pilot Study of the Cognitive Behaviour Drama (CBD) Model

Abstract

AbstractThis article introduces a new intervention model designed to address phobic avoidances in children with Asperger syndrome, incorporating principles and techniques from cognitive and behaviour therapy into the art form of drama. This paper presents a single case study that outlines the application of the model in the treatment of a long-term fear of hand-driers in an 11-year-old boy, diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, for whom all other forms of therapy including variants of systematic desensitisation and traditional cognitive behaviour therapy had been found to be ineffective. The results of this study offer preliminary descriptive evidence of the efficacy of the model and durability of outcomes.