Managing Anxiety

Managing Anxiety:

Welcome to presentation 5 in the anxiety and Autism series. In this presentation, we will further examine tactics and strategies which may assist your child in combating their anxiety.

Let͛s start by taking a look at two approaches to combatting anxiety. There are two ways for the individual to manage their anxiety levels, physically and cognitively. The physical approach to managing anxiety stresses the importance of activities to relieve stress and anxiety. The cognitive approach is a more thoughtful approach to anxiety and stress management.

Let’s take a closer look at both with the help of kloog (pronounced k-loo- g) This clip will examine how to manage anxiety and stress the physical way.

Now let’s take a look at a different approach using another short video from our social skills for autism app series. In this clip, managing anxiety or stress the mindful way is explored.

The following are some general strategies that may help …

Use visual supports as Language can be harder to process in times of high anxiety, visuals can be more easily processed. Use visuals like:

• gestures
• pictures
• text to help prepare for change

Support during change also helps to reduce anxiety …

Change in life is inevitable, but preparation can make all the difference! Visual schedules and social stories can help to remove uncertainty from daily life as well as new situations.

It ͛ s important to explain why something is happening … This explanation will depend on the child ͛ s language abilities, but giving a logical, rational explanation of a change can take away the unsettling ͚ mystery ͛ of it. Try to stay away from ͞Just because! ͟ explanations.

Always explain the what Prepare as much as possible for the sequence of events that are going to happen.

• Where they are going
• Who will be there
• What will happen

Start with explaining with what will happen: If necessary, what to expect from a sensory perspective. e.g. there might be a strong smell of … it might get a bit loud when …

Everyone likes to know what is expected of them… it informs how we behave… Help the child understand what is expected of them, you could role play how they will greet new people, what they can do if they need a break etc.

Going to school, different activities and therapy appointments can be very demanding on kids. Downtime does not necessarily mean doing nothing but should include: No social expectations No academic expectations No therapy related expectations