Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications
Publication Date
4-1-2024
Journal
Journal of Clinical Psychology
DOI
10.1002/jclp.23580
PMID
37561065
PMCID
PMC10858296
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
4-1-2025
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Author MSS
Published Open-Access
yes
Keywords
Adult, Humans, Autistic Disorder, Treatment Outcome, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention, autism, homework, case vignette
Abstract
Objective: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which includes a decided emphasis on exposure and response/ritual prevention (ERP) and between-session practice of treatment principles, has consistently demonstrated efficacy for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and is a gold standard, recommended first-line treatment. CBT with ERP has been successfully adapted to fit the needs of autistic individuals with OCD. The present article provides a brief overview of CBT for OCD and outlines special considerations and adaptations needed when working with patients with OCD and comorbid autism, with an emphasis on the importance of between-session homework.
Method: A case vignette is presented.
Results: This case study illustrates the role of homework in the exposure-based treatment of an adult autistic individual with comorbid OCD.
Conclusion: Implications of this case vignette are discussed, and recommendations are offered for clinicians working with autistic individuals with OCD, especially in regard to bolstering completion of between-session ERP homework.
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