Regulating Together: Randomized Controlled Trial Examining Predictors, Facilitators, and Barriers to Treatment Success in Emotion Dysregulation and ASD

Intervention research in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has almost exclusively focused on addressing core deficits, despite individuals with ASD presenting with significant behavioral and emotional symptoms including irritability, reactivity, and aggression. These clinical issues are hypothesized to arise from difficulties in emotion dysregulation (ED) or the inability to control the experience, expression, and intensity of emotions in an adaptable manner. ED has also been linked to higher rates of psychiatric hospitalizations, suicidal ideation, school disciplinary action, rejection by peers, failed transitions to college and employment, comorbid psychiatric diagnoses, and use of psychotropic medications in individuals with ASD compared to their peers with ASD without ED. Yet, ED is very rarely specifically targeted in ASD, particularly for school aged children, those with cognitive impairments, and/or for diverse youth.