A Virtually Delivered Adapted Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Group for Adults With Williams Syndrome and Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are among the most common and persistent neuropsychiatric comorbidities for individuals with Williams syndrome (WS), a genetic condition associated with mild-to-moderate intellectual disability (ID). Effective treatments for anxiety disorders in WS and adults with ID more broadly are limited. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a first-line treatment for anxiety in the general population, but there are no available CBT treatment manuals for anxiety in adults with ID. We describe initial results from a novel virtually delivered, group-based-adapted CBT for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder in adults with WS. Clinical recommendations for using and adapting CBT for adults with ID are provided. Four adults with WS and comorbid generalized anxiety disorder participated in the group, and all four participants experienced a significant reduction in the clinician-rated anxiety rating scale. Three of the four were considered responders on the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement subscale (CGI-I). Our findings provide preliminary support for the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of a virtually delivered, group-based CBT treatment for anxiety in adults with ID.