1. Anxiety
Young People & ASD

2. Nature of Anxiety Mild to severe Always present Periodic Situational
Panic
Normal to abnormal

3. Types of Anxiety Generalised Anxiety Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Panic Disorder
Phobias
School Avoidance
Selective Mutism
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

4. More Common for Kids with ASD
Need for predictability
Change can be difficult
Sensory issues
Greater attention given to detail
Living in a world of Neurotypicals

5. Anxiety Treatment Information Analysis Quality of Life Improvements
New Skills
Professional Help

6. Useful Information about Anxiety
Information sometimes “normalises” the unusual!!
You are not mad..….bad……or sick
Biological base to anxiety
Elimination of anxiety not realistic
Coping with anxiety is realistic
Reassurance is of limited value 6

7. The role of avoidance and relief in anxiety
100
Avoidance = quick temporary relief
Anxiety
Time
Trigger 7

8. Anxiety is Normal

9. Anxiety can be exciting….

10. Too much of anything is good for nothing!
Too much anxiety?
Too much of anything is good for nothing!

11. ANXIETY
Anxiety is hard to say. Other words that mean anxiety are worry, fear, panic and stress.
A little anxiety is a good thing. Everybody feels anxiety. It is normal to worry a little, to be a little afraid, to panic sometimes or to feel some stress. A little anxiety helps us to do things for ourselves. A little anxiety helps us to be careful.
Too much anxiety is not helpful. Some people know that they become too anxious because Your heart beats very quickly and you have not been running; Your hands sweat; It is hard to breathe; Your tummy feels funny; Your thoughts are confused; and You might become angry or upset.

12. Analysis Long-term and short-term stressors? Any specific triggers?
Hereditary Factors
Parenting Style (overly cautious or critical?)
Child’s expectations: are they realistic?

13. Quality of Life Be busy not bored.
Diet and food intake: less sugar, less caffeine
Exercise regularly
A good night’s sleep
Relaxation

14. New Skills Reducing “Stinking Thinking”
Progressively Confront Avoidance
Improve confidence and assertiveness
Use Affirmations
Release Feelings
Relaxation

15. Stinkin’ Thinkin’
Common Thinking Errors

16. WORRY IS LIKE A ROCKING CHAIR
IT GIVES YOU SOMETHING TO DO BUT ULTIMATELY GETS YOU
NO-WHERE

17. ASK THE WORRY QUESTIONS…..
WHEN HAS WORRY EVER MADE YOU HAPPY….??
WHEN HAS WORRY EVER MADE THINGS BETTER…??
WHEN HAS WORRY EVER GOT YOU WHAT YOU WANTED….?

18. Black & White Thinking I can’t do this so I must be stupid.
If I gain even a pound I’ll be fat.
I must be perfect or no one will love me.
I always fail when I try to do something new
I have nothing to look forward to anymore

19. Antidote to B & W Thinking
Look for the shades of grey; look for colour
Reflective Questions:
Is it really so bad?
Am I taking an extreme view?

20. Unfair Comparisons

21. Perfectionist Thinking
If X < Y then X = Z
X = The Situation
Y = Perfection
Z = Total Failure
Am I making fair comparisons?
Am I comparing myself to people who have a particular advantage?

22. Negative Filter
Am I looking at the negatives and ignoring the positives?
Is there a more balanced way to look at this?

24. Catastrophising What’s the worst that can happen
What’s the best that can happen?
Will this really matter in 5 years time?
Is there anything good about this?
What’s most likely to happen?

25. Magnification….. Minification
What are the facts?
What are my interpretations?
Am I over generalising?
Am I minimizing?

26. Labelling I am stupid…ugly…boring…useless…a loser
He is a creep…retarded…a failure…dopey.
Stick to the facts and not the interpretations:
Doing something poorly does not mean that you are ……..

27. RELAXATION BREATHING
BLOW!
BREATHE!
RELAX!

28. Professional Help Medical Psychological Counselling and Therapy
Massage
Other?

29. Extra Information www.asdsouthlee.com
social story on anxiety
Anxiety: A Guide for Young people with ASD
Dawn Huebner: “What to do when you Worry Too Much: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety”