Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy The scientific basis for the use of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) with adolescents and adults with mood or adjustment problems is extensive and diverse. In fact, CBT is one of the most widely used non-pharmacologic treatments for individuals with mental and emotional disorders, especially depression, and its use with individuals with autism spectrum disorders is growing. CBT focuses on replacing negative or ineffective patterns of thought and behavior with structured strategies that are effective in improving mood and adaptive functioning. In the autism research base, the scientific evidence for the effectiveness of "selfmanagement," a type of CBT, is described by the NPDC-ASD as follows: “Selfmanagement interventions
