NICE Clinical Guidance on Coexisting Problems in Children and Young People on the Autism Spectrum

The following is an extract from "Autism spectrum disorder in under 19s: support and management" (2013). London: NICE. 

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Mental Health or Medical Problems

10.1.7.1 Offer psychosocial and pharmacological interventions for the management of coexisting mental health or medical problems in children and young people with autism in line with NICE guidance for children and young people, including:

• Antisocial behaviour and conduct disorders in children and young people (NICE clinical guideline 158)
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (NICE clinical guideline 72)
• Constipation in children and young people (NICE clinical guideline 99)
• Depression in children and young people (NICE clinical guideline 28)
• Epilepsy (NICE clinical guideline 137)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) (NICE clinical guideline 31)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (NICE clinical guideline 26).

10.1.7.2 Consider the following for children and young people with autism and anxiety who have the verbal and cognitive ability to engage in a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention:

• group CBT adjusted to the needs of children and young people with autism
• individual CBT for children and young people who find group-based activities difficult.

10.1.7.3 Consider adapting the method of delivery of CBT for children and young people with autism and anxiety to include:

• emotion recognition training
• greater use of written and visual information and structured worksheets
• a more cognitively concrete and structured approach
• simplified cognitive activities, for example, multiple-choice worksheets
• involving a parent or carer to support the implementation of the intervention, for example, involving them in therapy sessions
• maintaining attention by offering regular breaks
• incorporating the child or young person's special interests into therapy if possible.

Speech and language problems

10.1.7.10 Do not use neurofeedback to manage speech and language problems in children and young people with autism.
10.1.7.11 Do not use auditory integration training to manage speech and language problems in children and young people with autism

Sleep Problems

Please note: we have listed the guidance on sleep problems separately

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Related Pages

• Other Guidance on Mental Health
• NICE Guidance on Children
• NICE Guidance
• Publications

Related Publications

• National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2013) Autism spectrum disorder in under 19s: support and management. London: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Read Full (New Window)
  
  

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Quick link:

https://informationautism.org/nice-guidance-children-coexisting-problems

Updated

23 Aug 2021