What is the study about?
Anxiety in young children may look like avoiding certain situations, difficulty separating from caregivers, or persistent reassurance seeking. When these behaviors occur often, it may be distressing and impact a child’s ability to participate in certain situations. Anxiety disorders are among the most common co-occurring conditions in children on the autism spectrum. The purpose of the BRAVE study is to better understand the physiological markers of anxiety — like how sweaty a child’s hands are, heart rate, and brain activity — in response to intervention. This could allow us to better identify which tests are best for measuring anxiety in autistic children in the future.
Who can be in this study?
3 to 6-year-olds on the autism spectrum with co-occurring fearfulness or anxiety
What does study participation involve?
Participation will take place over five to six months and includes:
- A caregiver interview to learn more about your child’s fearfulness or anxiety.
- A clinical visit to determine if our study is a good fit.
- Three in-person visits, during which your child will complete various activities while we measure heart rate, skin response, and EEG.
- 16 behavioral intervention sessions.
Who do I contact if I am interested in learning more about this study?
Email BRAVEstudy@childrens.harvard.edu or call 617-919-4108.