21/04/2022
We recognise an association between autism and anxiety, with approximately 80% of autistic children and adults feeling mildly anxious for much of their day and for most of their lives. They often experience intense anxiety in specific situations, such as when there are changes in routine or expectations, uncertainty about what to do or what is going to happen, fear of imperfection and making a mistake and specific sensory experiences. There can also be anxiety in crowded places such as a shopping mall on a Saturday. Research has confirmed that an anxiety disorder is the most common mental health problem for autistic adults. Sometimes, the level of anxiety experienced may be perceived as actually more disabling than the diagnostic characteristics of autism.
Research and clinical experience indicate that approximately one-third of autistic adults experience cyclical feelings of sadness and pessimism that can evolve into clinical depression. There are many reasons why an autistic person may become sad and depressed. These include feelings of social isolation, loneliness, and not being valued and understood by family members and colleagues. Another reason for depression is the exhaustion experienced due to socialising, trying to manage and often suppress emotions, especially anxiety, and coping with sensory sensitivity. The person is constantly alert, trying to endure perpetual anxiety whilst suffering a deficit in emotional resilience and confidence. The mental effort of intellectually analysing everyday interactions and experiences is draining, and mental energy depletion leads to thoughts and feelings of despair.
Anxiety may strongly influence many autistic individuals' behaviours, thoughts, and emotions. It can be challenging for some to articulate what they are feeling and experiencing. As parents, carers, teachers, and professionals, we need to consider how autistic person feels, what they are experiencing, and whether they need help but cannot communicate.
This Friday, we will explore anxiety and much more in our emotions and behaviour management event. The management component is around helping to support autistic teens to manage their own emotions and behaviours and to learn, understand, and accept themselves.
https://attwoodandgarnettevents.com/.../emotion.../
This live course counts for 5.5 hours of Continuing Professional Development or Teacher Accreditation hours. (For NSW Teachers: the course may be recorded as an elective PD with NESA).
Does your Child or Adolescent have NDIS Funding? If you are self-managed or third party-managed and parent education is in the Plan you can use your NDIS funding to attend this event.
Do You Need a Tax Invoice Receipt for this Event?
Please email us at [email protected] and we will send you one.
** The information in this post is from peer-reviewed research and the perspectives and experiences of many autistic individuals from clinical experience and communications and may not apply to each person.
