Anxiety in children with autism is a common condition, as they face constant difficulties in social situations and often exhibit challenging behaviors that make it tough for them to adapt to settings such as school. For many children on the spectrum, everyday experiences can trigger significant levels of distress, making it necessary to address this situation with the support of ABA therapy.
The medical community widely recognizes Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as the most effective approach to addressing the complexities of autism, including anxiety issues. ABA therapy focuses on developing and strengthening social and communication skills, which empowers children to express themselves more effectively.
Some children with autism and anxiety often exhibit obsessions about a specific topic, repetitive movements, or unusual reactions, which can complicate their development and increase their anxiety levels. Although anxiety disorders are not intrinsic to autism, they are common comorbidities on the autism spectrum. According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, approximately 40% of children with autism also receive an additional diagnosis related to anxiety disorders.
Given the high rates, it is essential to address anxiety in children with autism early to provide the support they need and teach them helpful coping mechanisms. In this blog by ABA Centers of Georgia, we want to offer parents guidance on how ABA therapy can make a difference in treating autism and its complexities, such as anxiety.
Understanding Autism and Anxiety
It is essential to understand autism and anxiety separately to understand their connection. Autism is a condition that impacts the way neural connections occur in the brain during development. This disorder generally influences how people on the autism spectrum communicate, interact, and behave. In other words, people with autism process information from their environment uniquely, which can hinder their ability to carry on conversations, understand sarcasm, and make eye contact, among other social challenges.
On the other hand, the American Psychological Association defines anxiety as an emotion that causes tension, excessive worry, and physical changes such as sweating and rapid heartbeat. This state of anxiety can lead people to avoid situations that generate uncomfortable feelings, such as social encounters, which is especially relevant in the case of anxiety in children with autism.
Unlike fear, anxiety is a long-term feeling that can arise without a specific identifiable cause. When not addressed through treatment, anxiety can significantly impact a person’s life, hindering their full development and ability to relate to their environment and others.
Triggers of Anxiety in Children with Autism
Each person with autism is unique and experiences symptoms that vary in severity. The causes of anxiety may differ for each child, and what affects one may not be a problem for another. However, some of the most common triggers of anxiety in children with autism are listed below:
- Lack of Complex Coping Skills: For many children with autism spectrum disorder, adjusting to new circumstances and environments can be incredibly stressful, triggering anxiety. It is common for these children to need additional support to develop self-confidence and successfully cope with these situations. On numerous occasions, anxiety in children with autism manifests itself because they feel judged for their differences and perceive themselves as unprepared to deal with challenging problems. Stress can manifest in simple interactions, such as a conversation, leading to isolation to avoid social encounters.
- Changes in Routines: Another trigger for anxiety in children with autism is changes in their routines. Although structured practices often benefit neurodivergent individuals by providing comfort and reducing uncertainty, any modification in these systems can provoke anxiety. For children with autism, adapting to unanticipated changes and new situations, even if they are small, can be a difficult task.
- Sensory Overload: Many children on the spectrum are susceptible to stimuli, which means that bright lights, loud noises, and certain textures can be highly uncomfortable. Environments overloaded with these stimuli can trigger sensory overload, leading to anxiety in children with autism. Public places such as stores, shopping malls, schools, crowded events, and others can instill fear and worry in children, causing them to avoid these spaces.
It is crucial to identify the situations that trigger anxiety in children with autism. This way, addressing the problem at its source can be highly beneficial to understanding their vulnerabilities and determining which aspects to address with ABA therapy.
How Does Anxiety in Children with Autism Looks Like?
Although each child may experience anxiety in different circumstances, anxiety manifests differently in each child with autism. Common manifestations of anxiety in children with autism include:
- Social Anxiety: According to research published in the National Library of Medicine, social anxiety is more prevalent among children and adolescents with autism than their neurotypical peers. This study links characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to social anxiety due to deficits in social skills that negatively affect their social interactions.
- Separation Anxiety: While most children experience separation anxiety at some point in their lives, for children with autism, it can be incredibly challenging and lead to severe anxiety. This separation anxiety often becomes apparent when children have to attend school without the presence of their parents or caregivers.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Many children with autism develop intense interests in specific topics, which may include an excessive preoccupation with activities such as handwashing, performing actions a certain number of times, arranging objects, or lining them up. These obsessive behaviors can sometimes be intrusive and disrupt children’s daily routines, leading to anxiety if they cannot perform these compulsive actions.
- Specific Phobias: Phobias are also commonly observed in many children with autism and anxiety. Reactions that may appear unusual and excessive to particular colors, textures, or characters may indicate the presence of an anxiety disorder.
- Selective Mutism: Some children with autism experience situations in which they cannot speak in specific social settings, such as school or the presence of unfamiliar adults, especially during infancy. However, they can talk at home easily. This condition, known as selective mutism, is closely related to anxiety.
An untreated anxiety disorder can lead to severe consequences, such as self-harm and depression. Given that this disorder can significantly impact and jeopardize a person’s life, it is essential to address the causes of anxiety in children with autism to prevent unfortunate outcomes.
How Can ABA Therapy Threat Anxiety in Children with Autism?
ABA therapy is a science-backed approach with a track record of success over the years in addressing the complexities of autism, including anxiety. The tools and skills children acquire through ABA therapy help reduce stress and anxiety in everyday situations.
With ABA therapy, children with autism learn with play-based activities and positive reinforcement to:
- Strengthen their social and behavioral skills
- Develop the self-confidence necessary to integrate into the community
- Communicate effectively
- Problem-solve
- Prepare for unexpected situations and experiences
- Successfully navigate social situations
- Take action to achieve their goals
- Maintain meaningful conversations and relationships with others
- Alternatives to reduce challenging behaviors
In-Home ABA Therapy to Reduce Anxiety in Children with Autism
We understand the complexities of autism and anxiety at ABA Centers of Georgia. That’s why we offer in-home ABA therapy services. ABA therapy is particularly beneficial for children diagnosed with autism and anxiety disorders because it occurs in familiar settings that your child associates with safety and comfort. In-home ABA therapy helps reduce anxiety levels that your child may experience when visiting a clinic.
Through in-home ABA therapy support, your child can work towards achieving their goals with an ABA professional who also involves parents and caregivers. This participation allows them to learn strategies for managing anxiety in the most challenging situations. Our in-home ABA therapy services are available in various locations, including Alpharetta, Atlanta, Buckhead, and Marietta. We aim to support families as they navigate neurodiversity and foster long-term positive change.
To learn more about ABA Centers of Georgia and ABA therapy, call us at (855) 929 – 5058 for a free consultation or fill out the form on our website to send all your questions and concerns.
