Anxiety is one of the biggest challenges faced by children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders and Asperger syndrome. Help them conquer their fears-and participate more fully in home, school, and community life-with this innovative group therapy program for children 8-14 years old and their parents. Facing Your Fears-At a Glance Number of sessions: 14, plus a follow-up booster session Length of sessions: 1 hours Participants: Children 8-14 years old and their parents Recommended group size: 4-5 children Conducted by: Psychologists, behavior analysts, and other professionals in clinical settings Components: Facilitator's Manual, Child Workbooks, Parent Workbooks, DVD with sample Facing Your Fears videos Ideal for small groups of 4-5 children but also effective in one- to-one therapy, this proven, ready-to-use program is a must for mental health professionals who work with children and families in clinical settings. Developed to address the specific needs and challenges of children with high-functioning ASD and Asperger syndrome, Facing Your Fears works because it targets specific fears or worries that interfere with day-to- day functioning at home and school actively involves parents in every session-the key to helping children make progress and ensuring that families provide skillful, sensitive support is backed by more than 7 years of funded research, including two clinical trials with positive outcomes engages children with memorable, age-appropriate strategies for defeating anxiety, from creating worry bugs to filming movies of themselves facing their fears gives children repeated opportunities to practice their social interactions with others uses the highly effective principles of cognitive behavioral therapy helps children and parents generalize the skills they learn in group to other settings Facing Your Fears includes everything professionals need to run a successful program. With the Facilitator's Manu
Audrey Blakeley-Smith, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, JFK Partners, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, 13121 East 17th Avenue, C-234, Aurora, Colorado 80045
Dr. Blakeley-Smith is a licensed clinical psychologist and has worked in the field of developmental disabilities since 1996. Current research interests include the assessment and treatment of comorbid mental health issues in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and the development of peer-mediated interventions in school settings. She is a co-investigator on a National Institute of Mental Health study to train outpatient clinicians in the delivery of the "Facing Your Fears" program. She is also a clinician on a Health Resources and Services Administration-funded study using telemedicine as a medium to treat anxiety in children with ASDs in underserved communities in Colorado. Dr. Blakeley-Smith is currently the principal investigator on a school-based study exploring the use of peer-mediated interventions to reduce rejection and increase inclusion of children with ASDs, funded by The Organization for Autism Research.
Shana Nichols, Ph.D., Founder and Director, ASPIRE Center for Learning and Development, 63 Old East Neck Road, Melville, New York 11747
Dr. Nichols is a licensed clinical psychologist and researcher and has worked in the field of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and child development since the mid-1990s. She has received research and service grant support for work in sexuality, puberty, healthy lifestyles, and ASDs, and is the author of several peer-reviewed research articles and invited papers.
Dr. Nichols currently specializes in adolescence and growing up, dual diagnosis and mental health, assessment and evaluation, and the experiences of females with ASDs. She is lead author of the book "Girls Growing Up on the Autism Spectrum: What Parents Should Know About the Pre-teen and Teenage Years" (Jessica Kingsley, 2008), with Gina Marie Moravcik and Samara Pulver Tetenbaum. Dr. Nichols has worked as a clinician, researcher, administrator, graduate training supervisor, advisory board member, trainer, and consultant in a wide variety of settings including outpatient clinics, residential programs, schools, and the community.
Judy Reaven, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, JFK Partners, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, 13121 East 17th Avenue, C-234, Aurora, Colorado 80045
Dr. Reaven is a licensed clinical psychologist and has been the director of the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic of JFK Partners since 2001. She has worked in the field of developmental disabilities as a clinician, researcher, and educator since 1985. Clinical and research interests include the co-occurrence of mental health symptoms in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), as well as the development of the "Facing Your Fears" program for anxiety symptoms in youth with anxiety and ASDs. She has authored a number of peer-reviewed research articles and has presented nationally and internationally on her clinical research.
Dr. Reaven has been Principal Investigator on several research projects funded by private foundations dedicated to autism research (Autism Speaks, Cure Autism Now, The Organization for Autism Research). She is currently the principal investigator on a federally funded project (National Institute of Mental Health), training outpatient clinicians to deliver the "Facing Your Fears" program to youth with anxiety and ASDs.
