Anxiety is not unusual among children. However, when a child has autism, he or she might have more difficulty managing his or her response to the feelings caused by anxiety. If your child is having difficulty with anxiety, here are some tips you can use to help him or her.
Maintain a Normal Schedule
One of the most important ways you can help your child avoid anxiety is by creating and maintaining a normal schedule. Children with autism respond to routines. When there is a change, such as skipping a weekly excursion to a favorite place, your child could respond in a negative manner. Negative behavior can include having a temper tantrum, trouble sleeping, or scratching his or her skin.
If there are going to be changes to your child's routine, try to plan ahead of time to deal with any negative behaviors that will occur. For instance, if you are unable to stop at a favorite place, discuss this with your child ahead of time. Discuss the change every day leading up to the actual moment. The more warning he or she has, the better he or she will be able to handle the change.
If possible, try to schedule another activity or excursion that your child normally enjoys for the same time. Ask your child for input on what he or she wants to do instead.
Seek Professional Help
If your child's anxiety has elevated to the point that he or she is self-harming or having significant trouble with sleeping or eating, it is time to seek professional help. A trained counselor can help your child develop strategies to help them cope with the anxiety.
A trained counselor can also provide you with techniques that you can use at home when your child exhibits signs of anxiety. Techniques can include relaxation training that can help you help your child to calm down when they are stressed.
In addition to these measures, the counselor can help decide whether or not medication is needed to treat the symptoms of anxiety. Medication is not always a permanent solution, but until your child is better able to handle his or her anxiety, it can help.
It is important that you keep the counselor informed of any changes to your child's behavior. He or she can use the information provided to determine what does and does not work for your child and make adjustments if necessary. Talk to a company such as ABC Pediatric Therapy for more information.
Share7 October 2016
When I initially started the therapy process about 10 years ago, I didn't take the time to scout out the right counselor. Instead, I just went to the first counselor that my doctor recommended, and the experience was less than enjoyable. I realized that I might need to do a little research to find the right counselor for me, so I took the time to carefully evaluate my needs and research different clinics in my area. I was able to find an amazing counselor who really seemed to have it under control, and it was incredibly beneficial to see the difference that it made. This blog is all about finding the right counselor.
