Exploring the Cognitions underlying OCD in Children with Autism
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploration into the nature of cognitions underlying the obsessions and compulsions of Autistic children with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder(OCD)
IRAS ID
216464
Contact name
Sandra Dunsmuir
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London - UCL
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2016/10/41 , UCL Data Protection Registration, Health Research
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 27 days
Research summary
The Cognitive Behavioural theory of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) outlined by Salkovskis (2003) suggests that at the core of most OCD is the misinterpretation of ordinary intrusive thoughts as realistic threats to self and/or others with a belief that there is a need/responsibility to act to eliminate the threat. From this theoretical base, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for OCD was developed and adapted for children (Stallard, 2002, Williams et al., 2005). Key components of the therapy involve supporting children to question their intrusive thoughts about the likelihood of an imagined threat and level of responsibility they have for the safety of self/others.
Whilst the literature recognises the success of CBT with OCD (Watson and Rees in 2008), it is less effective with children with OCD who are on the Autistic Spectrum (Simonoff et al., 2008; Murray et al 2015). Research into why it is less effective remains in its infancy. In their study into the phenomenology of the OCD of Autistic children Lewin et al (2011) found evidence that the phenotype between the OCD of the children with and without ASD differed. The ASD and OCD group in their study were less likely to use checking, washing and repeating compulsions which Lewin et al believed were more linked to ‘fear-evoking obsessions.’ This study aims to build on the initial observations of Lewin and seeks to contribute to developing a richer understanding of the intrusive OCD thoughts of autistic children.
If, through further research, the intrusive obsessional thoughts of autistic children with OCD prove not to be predominantly based around fear and responsibility as they tend to be in neuro-typical children then there are clear implications for treatment. Tailoring the content of the treatment to the more prevalent intrusive obsessions could potentially improve outcomes for these children.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SW/0309
Date of REC Opinion
13 Dec 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion