Priorities for Advancing Research on Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Co-occurring Anxiety.

Burrows et al. (2018) asked 32 autism and anxiety experts from five countries one question: what must we study first so we can treat anxiety in kids with autism?

The team used a three-round online survey. Each round narrowed the list until everyone agreed on the top four research priorities.

The experts agreed on four must-do areas. We need: (1) ways to tell anxiety from autism behaviors, (2) tools that work in real homes and classrooms, (3) clear yardsticks that don’t rely on vague ratings, and (4) studies that show how autism traits change treatment results.

South et al. (2017) set the table. Their narrative review said anxiety in autism is messy and needs autism-friendly fixes. Burrows et al. (2018) turned that mess into a to-do list.

Clarke et al. (2017) and Subramaniam et al. (2023) already tested school and hospital CBT. They show real-world trials are possible, but gains are small. The 2018 list explains why: we still lack the clear measures and rule-outs the experts asked for.

Renno et al. (2013) proved anxiety can be separated from core autism symptoms. Burrows et al. (2018) use that proof to demand the same separation in everyday clinics, not just research labs.

Before you pick an anxiety intervention, pick the right target. Use parent and teacher data together (Vicki et al. 2015), choose setting-specific tools (Dawn et al. 2019), and track observable behaviors, not just child words. The field’s next big win will come from measurement, not another manual.