Wanted to pass on this article that was sent to me on Aspergers and Anxiety. I know we have dealt with this issue and Riley quite often:
Question
How to deal with Aspergers anxiety?
Answer
For children with Asperger’s, anxiety can be overwhelming. What causes this anxiety? Just about anything can cause anxiety. The stress of social situations when you have weak social skills, changes in your normal routine or in the order of things, depression due to the loneliness that can come with lacking social abilities, and frustration. Truthfully, frustration is the root of anxiety in children with Asperger’s Syndrome.
In children with Asperger’s, anxiety builds as frustration builds. Something as simple as being forced to make eye contact and explain your reasons for choosing a certain book to read can cause frustration. Imagine trying to find the words you need and learning that some of those words are missing. Imagine having to look someone in the eye and feeling actual physical discomfort when doing so. Imagine eating in a noisy, crowded cafeteria when the sights, sounds, and smells are painfully overwhelming. Imagine having a deep desire to make and keep friends, but not having the social skills needed to accomplish this desire. Frustration is around every corner and with that frustration comes anxiety.
Asperger’s anxiety must be understood before it can be eliminated or at the very least, managed. Knowing the child’s anxiety triggers, or daily frustrations is a good place to start. A helpful tool for learning about your child’s frustrations is “The 5-Point Scale and Anxiety Curve Poster”, by Kari Dunn Buron and Mitzi Curtis. This chart allows the child to use a visual aid to categorize his levels of anxiety.
Once you know the child’s frustrations, you can make a plan for these stressful Asperger’s anxiety situations. There are several choices of treatments for parents to choose.
* Counseling is a common treatment option for anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, as well as psychological counseling can help. Social skills training, sensory integration therapy, and language therapy can also help with the underlying causes of a child’s anxiety-inducing frustration.
* In some cases, medication is a necessary treatment. Anti-anxiety medications can make it easier for children with Asperger’s Syndrome to deal with the depression and anxiety issues. Since medications are not for everyone, a trusted doctor‘s guidance is necessary.
* Parents can choose to teach coping skills at home. Search the Internet for published resources that can make the job easier and more effective.
Asperger’s anxiety is a serious condition and should not be taken lightly. Finding the right combination of stress management and treatments will help your family deal with the frustration that leads to anxiety.
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