Reducing Anxiety and Managing Anxiety

Unfortunately, we can never eradicate or remove everything that causes anxiety.

Anxiety is a natural part of life and something that everyone experiences, to a greater or lesser extent, at some stage.

However, there are a few strategies that may help autistic teenagers understand and manage their own anxiety.

  • Where possible, and this may not be easy, find out what “triggers” or causes the autistic teenager anxiety
    • This may be done through observation, conversation and/or using visuals
  • Some of the common triggers for anxiety include:
    • Changes in routine or environment (Link to transitions section)
    • Unfamiliar social situations
    • Sensory sensitivities – Anxiety escalates in sensory-rich environments e.g. a noisy supermarket, playground, classroom; or as a result of exposure to disliked sensory stimuli such as a child crying, light touch, smells. (Link to Sensory Resource)
    • Fear of a particular situation, activity or object – for example, sleeping in their own bed, going to the toilet, balloons, spiders or vacuum cleaners etc.
  • Once the “triggers” have been identified, work with the teenager to develop individualised appropriate strategies for dealing with these situations
  • Give the teenager lots of opportunities to practise dealing with these difficulties and situations in a safe environment
  • It helps if other people in contact with the autistic teenager are aware of the “triggers”and have agreed strategies for handling such situations
  • Help the teenager recognise anxious feelings

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This image is from a book, Stallard, P. (2002) Think Good Feel Good: A Cognitive Behaviour Workbook for Children. Wiley-Blackwell.

The teenager should practise these strategies when he or she is calm, alert and focused; his or teachable moment.

As some may find change and transitions difficult, it may be helpful to be warned about a change or an event in advance, technology can be helpful e.g. texting on a smart phone or emailing teenager about change. Some like to know a week in advance. But for some, too much warning can mean they worry until the event happens.

A psychologist, cognitive behavioural therapist or mental health occupational therapist might be able to help if the young person is very anxious. It may be advisable to ask your GP for advice and a recommendation for a suitable psychologist or therapist.