Autism Anxiety Overload

Renowned autism expert Tony Atwood likes to put it this way: “Autism is goal-seeking anxiety.” Autism and anxiety go hand in hand. Autism affects a person’s ability to communicate with others or understand the world around them, sometimes causing anxiety and panic.

The anxiety becomes even worse when there is a change in the routine of the autistic child. Even positive, “fun” changes, like a school field trip or a visit to the zoo, can increase anxiety and aggressive behaviors.

For parents, the best course of action is to anticipate upcoming changes and help your child prepare for them. Many parents find it helpful to use stories and images to prepare children for impending disruptions. If it’s a trip to the zoo, for example, use pictures to show your child what she’ll see at the zoo, what the zoo will be like, and what kinds of things she can expect. Do this every day for three to four days before the trip. That way, when the trip actually happens, the child won’t be completely out of her element, but will already understand and appreciate something of what will happen.

Other changes in the routine are less pleasant but still necessary. Getting a new teacher can be traumatic, just like moving into a new house. If possible, try to extend the major changes. If you’re moving to a new house, try to do it over the summer, so your child doesn’t have to deal with the added anxiety of having a new school and a new teacher in the middle of the year.

You can also introduce your child to the concept of “change” in a positive way by practicing with non-negative things. For example, just for practice, give him a little more TV time instead of homework one night to show him that changes in routine can often be fun and good. Then practice with a neutral change (after dinner homework instead of before dinner), then with a negative one (changing game time into homework time). This process can help your child get used to the idea of ​​change and learn to adjust without becoming anxious.

For ongoing anxiety, many parents have started using anti-anxiety medication for their autistic children. The drugs are typically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and are also used for obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression. Prozac, Luvox, Zoloft, and Anafranil are common for anxiety in autistic children.

For behavioral problems, antipsychotics such as Haldol, fluphenazine, and chlorpromazine may be prescribed. These can reduce aggression in autistic children, but they also sometimes cause sedation and muscle stiffness.

All patients are different. You and your doctor should closely monitor your child’s progress, using the lowest possible dose of medication, to see if there are improvements and if there are any adverse reactions. Medication should be the last resort for autism, not the first. There are a number of natural remedies available if you don’t want to go the drug route. But try dietary and behavioral modifications first, to see what improvements can be achieved naturally.