Tips For Back To School Anxiety
Did you know that anxiety issues are the most common mental health disorders in children? There are an estimated 18 million children and teens who suffer from anxiety. Because the start of a new school year can trigger or worsen anxiety in children and teens, CBI offers the following tips to help ease back-to-school anxiety:
1. Proper sleep is essential and especially important for children struggling with anxiety. Be sure to start transitioning from late nights to a proper school night bedtime two to three weeks prior to school starting, gradually getting earlier.
2. Familiarize your child with his/her school particularly if it is a new environment. Prior to school starting, visit the school and classroom. If possible, introduce your child to his/her teacher. For older children, review their class schedules with them.
3. For socially anxious children, plan playdates with other classmates throughout the summer. Having a buddy can ease first day jitters.
4. Allow your child to talk about how they are feeling and what they might be worried about, reassuring them that their feelings are completely normal. Help them connect somatic complaints (e.g., stomachaches, headaches, etc.) to their anxiety about starting/going back to school.
5. Back to school anxiety is quite common and normal. However, if a few weeks pass and your child’s anxiety hasn’t decreased or has gotten worse, it is best to seek out a counseling professional who specializes in pediatric anxiety disorders. This type of therapy is generally short term and very effective.
Obsessive Compulsive Behaviors in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) often exhibit obsessive-compulsive behaviors (OCBs). These behaviors are somewhat different from the symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Children with OCD experience unwanted and intrusive thoughts that they can’t seem to get out of their heads (obsessions), often compelling them to repeatedly perform ritualistic behaviors and routines (compulsions) to try and ease their anxiety.
Children with ASDs generally have repetitive, perseverative thoughts that are intense in nature, much like children with OCD symptoms. The big difference is that children with OCD do not like the experience of having repetitive thoughts or the urge to engage in compulsive behaviors. To the contrary, children with ASDs are not generally bothered by their repetitive thoughts and behaviors, and instead may be comforted by them.
Despite these differences, recent research shows that similar treatment is effective for both OCBs and OCD in children. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment that has been established by the American Psychological Association as effective for children. A study of CBT for neurotypical children with anxiety (Wood et al.,) found:
▪ Childrens’ school performance improved and they attended school more regularly
▪ Children had more friends and better quality friendships
▪ Children got along better with family members
▪ Children had higher self-esteem
Most recently, the authors of this study adapted their neurotypical CBT protocol for children with ASDs and are getting similar very promising results.
Cape CBI offers specialized help for children with ASDs in the following areas:
• Developing more adaptable, less rigid behaviors
• Decreasing anxiety and stress related to unpredicatable/uncontrollable situations and occurrences
• Improving social awareness and appropriate interpersonal skills
About Us:
Cape CBI is a leader in the evidence-based treatment of OCD and related disorders for children, teens, families, and adults. Our practice offers individual, group, as well as customized intensive treatment programs for children and adolescents, especially those with OCD, anxiety and other related disorders including phobias, separation anxiety, school refusal, social phobia, panic disorder, compulsive hair pulling/skin picking, tic disorders, eating disorders, and cutting or other self-harming behaviors.
We use a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach. Proven effective by empirical research, this therapeutic approach focuses on techniques for behavioral change and generally helps patients find rapid symptomatic relief for their issues. CBT is designed to be a brief, symptom-focused treatment that provides specific skills which clients can then use independently.
For more information, contact us at 508-274-9883 or info@capecbi.com