Decreasing Anxiety for Children with Autism
Decreasing anxiety for children with autism can be a challenge. Most autistic kids experience some level of anxiety, and it can show up as avoidance or destructive behavior.
Reducing anxiety leads to fewer negative behaviors and a happier child. Start by recognizing your own anxiety about a situation: if you are nervous about an activity or event, your child is more likely to be too.
Tips to decrease anxiety for children with autism
- Breathing exercises. Take deep breaths using your abdomen (belly pushes) and breathe in through your nose.
- Chunk up workloads. Fold a school assignment or homework sheet so only half shows; the child finishes that half first, then the other half. This works for chores at home too: pick up three toys, take a break, then put three more toys away.
- Check whether a timer helps or hurts. Sometimes a timer causes more anxiety.
- Talk less and show more. Showing the child what is expected, versus saying it, lowers the chance of auditory sensory overload. Visuals also give the child something to refer back to, such as a schedule.
- Move. Physical tasks and exercise help reduce stress and anxiety. Build movement breaks into the classroom and home day; there are many YouTube videos children can watch and join in with.
- Prepare the child ahead of time using schedules and social narratives. Knowing what to expect and being prepared helps reduce anxiety and increase positive behavior.
Positively Prepared kits are built on that last tip: a story, visuals and a celebration for one specific situation. Find the kit for what's coming up.
