Current trends in the treatment of phobias in autistic and mentally retarded persons

Abstract

This paper reviews research pertaining to the phobic disorders of mentally retarded and autistic persons. The definition, diagnosis, phenomenology and assessment of phobic disarders are briefly covered. The various aetiologies and possible treatm ts are then adumbrated, and following this, treatments used to date 8 the alleviation of phobic disorders in the target populations are described. Particular attention is paid to the various methodological weaknesses of the reviewed studies. Finally, current trends are discussed and future directions for research are suggested. It is concluded that at the present time, behavioural interventions must be regarded as the treatments of choice for the ph..