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. 2023 Nov;30(4):589-596.
doi: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2022.03.006. Epub 2022 Apr 8.

Mechanisms of change in Behavioral Activation: Adapting depression treatment for autistic people

Vanessa H Bal  1 , Ellen Wilkinson  1 , Victoria Glascock  1 , Richard P Hastings  2   3 , Andrew Jahoda  4
Affiliations

Mechanisms of change in Behavioral Activation: Adapting depression treatment for autistic people

Vanessa H Bal et al. Cogn Behav Pract. 2023 Nov.

Abstract

Despite high rates of co-occurring depression, few studies have developed or adapted treatments targeting depressive symptoms for autistic adults. Behavioral activation is widely accepted as an empirically-supported approach for treating depression in other populations. Careful attention to the mechanisms targeted by behavioral activation is an essential step toward adapting behavioral activation protocols for use with autistic adults. We consider the mechanisms targeted by behavioral activation and provide a framework for research to explore the facilitators and barriers to the use of behavioral activation to treat depression in autistic adults. Drawing upon clinical experience and extant literature, the suggestions presented are aimed at highlighting considerations for clinicians wanting to use behavioral activation programs in their clinical practices with autistic adults and to promote the research needed to establish behavioral activation as an evidence-based practice for treating depression in adults on the autism spectrum.

Keywords: Depression; adaptation; autism; low mood; mood disorder; treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Interest: The authors of no conflicts of interest to declare.

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