A Comparison of Two School Based Interventions to Manage Anxiety in Autistic Students

Who May Qualify: There are 3 groups of participants: students, caregivers and interdisciplinary school providers: Inclusion criteria for students ages 8-14: - known medical diagnosis of ASD OR educational identification of ASD OR suspected ASD - clinical anxiety according to either student, parent or teacher report - clinically significant impairment (T-score above 70) in reciprocal social behavior according to the Social Responsiveness Scale - Second Edition (SRS-2). Exclusion criteria for students - known intellectual disability - significant behavior or psychiatric challenge that prevents them from participation in small group activities - lack of parent or caregiver permission for participation Inclusion Criteria for Caregivers of students 8-14 \- legal guardian of a student who meets inclusion criteria defined above Inclusion criteria for Interdisciplinary school providers (ISPs). - degreed professionals in one of the following: education (special or general education), school psychology, counseling, social work, speech/language pathology, occupational or physical therapy OR paraprofessional who assist ISPs - working with autistic students with anxiety - be able to complete study requirements including attending the training workshops, delivering at least 80% of the program they were randomized to, and participating in 80% of bi-monthly consultation sessions with the research team. Exclusion criteria ISPs - if they are unable to participate in the trainings, deliver the program they are assigned to, or participate in any of the consultation visits - if they do not work with students with autism and anxiety Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.