Anxiety and ASD

October 25, 2016

Anxiety is fairly common and a normal response to real or perceived threats. Feelings of worry and tension, along with physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweating or trembling are common characteristics of anxiety. For children and young adults on the spectrum this is a real and serious problem. Disabling anxiety can take the form of one or more disorders, including panic disorder and phobias.

Therapy plays a vital role in helping individuals manage and overcome anxiety, especially when traditional coping strategies fall short. Approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, and in some cases, medication, are often used to help reframe anxious thoughts and regulate emotional responses. For those seeking innovative and research-backed treatment options, Avesta Ketamine Wellness provides a supportive environment where therapies are tailored to address the root causes of anxiety rather than just the symptoms. By combining clinical expertise with compassionate care, such centers offer individuals—particularly those on the spectrum—a chance to regain balance, resilience, and a renewed sense of calm in their daily lives.

According to Indiana University at Bloomington, many children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) will receive another diagnosis at some point in their development. In a 2008 study, seventy percent of a sample of children with ASD ages 10 to 14, had also been diagnosed with another disorder. Forty-one percent had been diagnosed with two or more additional disorders (Simonoff, et al). These additional disorders, or comorbid diagnoses, can, at times, be extremely debilitating for individuals with autism spectrum disorders.  The most common types of diagnoses are those related to anxiety. Researchers concluded that about 40% of children with ASD had at least one comorbid diagnosed anxiety disorder (van Steensel et al., 2011).

Have you notices these physical symptoms in your child?

  • excessive thirst
  • stomach upsets
  • loose bowel movements
  • frequent urinating
  • periods of intensely pounding heart
  • periods of having gas
  • muscle aches
  • headaches
  • dizziness
  • pins and needles
  • tremors

Or have you noticed these emotional or psychological symptoms?

  • easily losing patience
  • difficulty concentrating
  • thinking constantly about the worst outcome
  • difficulty sleeping
  • depression
  • becoming preoccupied with or obsessive about one subject.

If you do notice any of these symptoms, it is important to also get medical advice to rule out other medical conditions.

Parents can play a critical role in the treatment of anxiety in their child with ASD.

1) Encourage your child for his or her effort and engagement in brave behaviors – especially when it is something they doubted they could do
2) Ignore excessive displays of anxiety
3) Distinguish between realistic and unrealistic fears so that an appropriate treatment direction can be established
4) Convey confidence in the child’s ability to handle his or her worry and anxiety
5) Model courageous behaviors
6) Work together to develop a plan for facing fears
7) Discuss how to share coping skills and the creation of exposure hierarchies with other professionals so that gains in one setting can be generalized to other settings