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Can anxiety be a symptom of autism?
As a parent of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), you know that navigating everyday life can sometimes feel like a rollercoaster of emotions, not just for your child but for the whole family. You might notice that certain situations trigger heightened stress or fear in your child, and you wonder if there’s a deeper connection between autism and anxiety. You’re not alone in asking these questions. Many parents have noticed similar patterns, and it’s led to meaningful conversations about whether anxiety is an inherent part of autism or something that develops alongside it.
Imagine this scenario: your child is at the grocery store, a place they’ve been countless times before. But today, the noise, the lights, and the people feel too overwhelming. They freeze up, their breathing quickens, and they can’t seem to calm down. This behavior isn’t just a meltdown or a reaction to sensory overload; it might be anxiety!
In this blog by ABA Centers of Rhode Island, we will explore the link between autism and anxiety and how to differentiate the symptoms. Moreover, we will provide some insights to help families in Providence, Newport, Cranston, and other areas of Rhode Island.
Is Anxiety a Symptom of Autism?
Anxiety is not technically a core symptom of autism, but it’s highly prevalent among individuals with ASD. Research shows that around 40% of children with autism also experience significant anxiety. The Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology found that 69% of the examined children with ASD had clinically significant anxiety, with 21% having standard anxiety disorders (as defined by the DSM), 17% showing unique anxiety symptoms related to ASD (such as fears of change or special interests), and 31% experiencing both. This correlation is significant because, while anxiety is not part of the diagnostic criteria for autism, it frequently coexists with it.
So, while autism and anxiety are separate conditions, they often overlap, and anxiety can manifest in ways that are unique to the autism spectrum. In some cases, anxiety might be triggered by the same challenges that come with ASD—such as difficulty with social interactions, changes in routine, or sensory sensitivities.
How Does Anxiety Present in Children with Autism?
Anxiety in children with autism can sometimes look different from how it presents in neurotypical children. For example, your child may not always express their fears in words. Instead, they may show their anxiety through behaviors such as increased stimming (rocking, hand-flapping), avoidance of certain situations, or meltdowns triggered by what seems like small changes in their environment.
Physical signs and contributors of anxiety in autism can manifest in any way, according to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, may include:
Disruptive behaviors: Acting out as a way to express difficulty with internal emotions, such as feeling worried or engaging in repetitive actions.
Specific phobias: Individuals with ASD may experience a fear of unusual stimuli like loud noises, vacuum cleaners, and school alarms.
Obsessive-compulsive behaviors: Some might initiate compulsions behaviors used as coping mechanisms to relieve anxiety.
Social anxiety: Fear of social situations and difficulty in understanding social cues, leading to avoidance and isolation.
Separation anxiety: Distress when separating from attachment figures.
Routine changes: Intense distress due to deviations from daily routines or environments.
Autism and Anxiety: 5 Practical Approaches to Address Stress
Life with ASD can bring its own set of challenges, and when anxiety is involved, it can add extra layers of complexity. Addressing anxiety in autism requires a thoughtful, individualized approach that considers the unique interaction between the two. While there isn’t a universal solution, here are several approaches that can help manage your child’s anxiety:
Establish Consistent Routines – A structured and predictable routine can create a sense of security for children. When they know what to expect, uncertainty is reduced, and anxiety levels can be significantly lowered.
Build Coping Strategies – Support your child in developing personalized coping techniques that align with their sensory needs and communication preferences. You can teach them new activities like deep breathing, mindfulness practices, or sensory aids such as weighted blankets or fidget tools.
Use Clear Communication – Clear, direct communication is key to helping individuals with autism understand what’s happening around them. Visual aids such as schedules, social stories, or picture charts can help them grasp expectations and alleviate anxiety related to the unknown.
Create a Supportive Environment – Design spaces that reduce sensory overload and encourage calm. Friendly sensory spaces mean creating a quiet area, minimizing visual distractions, or providing noise-canceling headphones for noisy environments.
Consult with Professionals – Reach out to specialists who have experience with both autism and anxiety. They can offer personalized guidance and strategies tailored to your child’s specific needs, helping you manage stress more effectively.
Managing Anxiety in Children with Autism: Therapeutic and Additional Approaches
While Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy isn’t explicitly designed to treat anxiety, many ABA therapists integrate strategies to help children on the spectrum better manage their stress, sensitivities, and more challenging traits. ABA therapy can offer a structured environment where children learn coping skills and ways to navigate anxiety triggers, making daily life more manageable.
ABA Centers of Rhode Island: Supporting Your Child Every Step of the Way
At ABA Centers of Rhode Island, we understand how challenging it can be to navigate the complexities of autism and anxiety. That’s why we provide compassionate, evidence-based therapy designed to help your child thrive in all areas of life. Whether it’s building new coping mechanisms or improving social skills, our team is here to support you and your child at every step of the journey.
Call us at (855) 922-4184 or schedule a free consultation to explore our autism care services; we also help you check your insurance benefits so your child can have better opportunities to achieve their full potential.
