Persistent emotional and behavioural problems (e.g., outbursts, hyperactivity, aggression) are common in children with autism and are the strongest developmental risk factors for later mental health challenges and adulthood adversity.
Clinicians have started to use socioemotional interventions such as adapted cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) to address emotion regulation and social skill challenges in autistic children. Adapted CBT programs can target multiple underlying mechanisms that contribute to the progression mental health challenges (e.g., anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders). I will present findings from ongoing work in my lab investigating the effectiveness of an adapted CBT intervention called the Secret Agent Society Small Group Program. This highly adaptable program is an espionage-themed, 10-week, therapist-led intervention that helps autistic children and their caregivers learn new skills in social problem solving, developing positive relationships, recognizing emotions, and expressing them in helpful ways. This work is conducted in partnership with service providers in community-based settings, and families of autistic children. We hope that it will help children “crack the code” of emotion regulation and social interactions, as well as provide a better understanding of how to continue supporting their emotional growth.
Dr. Vivian Lee is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Carleton University. Her research program includes investigating factors that contribute to building positive emotion regulation and social skills in autistic children and youth, as well as evaluating community-based programs that support family wellbeing. Dr. Lee works closely with the autism community and has co-designed numerous research projects with autism-focused advocacy groups including Autism Ontario and the Canadian Autism Alliance, as well as autistic children, youth, advocates, and their families. Dr. Lee completed her PhD in Developmental Psychology at McMaster University, and was a postdoctoral fellow with the DDMH Lab at York University and is a member of the McMaster Autism Research Team at the Offord Centre for Child Studies at McMaster's Children's Hospital.
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