Regulating together intensive outpatient program: a unique, comprehensive group treatment intervention for children with asd and emotion dysregulation and their caregivers

Emotion dysregulation (ED) is an impairment in modulating the experience, expression, and intensity of emotions in an adaptable and contextually appropriate manner (Gross and Thompson, 2007). ED is often manifested as higher rates of anxiety, depression, aggression, self-injury, and temper tantrums (Stringer et al, 2020). The presence of ED in 12-year-old youth with ASD predicts similar ED challenges persisting into young adulthood and has lasting impacts across the lifespan. ED has been linked to significantly higher rates of 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 without ED.