Autism and Managing Anxiety: Practical Strategies for Working with Children and Young People

This easy-to-use resource is a compilation of theoretical background and concrete approaches designed to increase understanding and outline strategies to support autistic children and young people who experience anxiety in the school environment. This resource also has practical application for parents, carers and professionals across a range of educational and community-based settings.

Using real life examples and case studies, the book explains and explores the different forms of anxiety and their impact across the school environment. Each chapter offers practical information and strategies that may help reduce the negative symptoms of anxiety and help support emotional resilience across home and school environments.

Key features of this book include:

• Chapters aimed at enhancing the understanding of anxiety in autism, considering potential triggers of anxiety, discussion on cognitive theories, social communication and means of assessing anxiety.
• A wealth of downloadable anxiety management strategies and resources that can be adapted and used by a teacher, parent or other professional.

This resource has been developed by the multidisciplinary team at Middletown Centre for Autism, and is a useful resource for the busy parent, teacher and other professionals who wish to provide individualised support strategies for anxiety across a range of settings.

The all-Ireland Middletown Centre for Autism was established by the Department of Education, Northern Ireland and the Department of Education and Skills, Ireland to promote excellence in the delivery of specialist education services to children and young people with autism.

The Centre delivers its services across three areas of:

• Learning Support and Assessment

The Centre staff work directly with individual autistic pupils and their school staff and families on a referral basis. The Centre staff accept referrals for whole schools to increase their capacity for the development of an autism competent environment.

• Research and Information

The Centre’s research department conducts follow-up with all referred pupils and schools and develops practice-based resources based on this work. The department also conducts research projects and provides supportive resources aimed at enhancing educational practice across the Island.

• Training

The Centre delivers an extensive programme of training to parents and educational professionals across the island. The Centre’s work also includes a graduate certificate in autism education and a graduate diploma in autism studies and a range of online training sessions.

Further details on the Centre’s work can be found www.middletownautism.com