Helping Children with Autism Manage Back-to-School Anxiety: Using Anxiety Coping Visuals

Many children with autism experience school anxiety as the back-to-school season approaches.

Tackling Back-to-School Anxiety with Anxiety Coping Strategies

The start of a new school year can be challenging for any child, but for children with autism, these transitions can be particularly overwhelming. Many children with autism also have comorbid anxiety disorders, making the return to school even more stressful. The unfamiliar environment, new routines, and social demands can trigger significant anxiety, leading to emotional outbursts or withdrawal.

As a parent currently struggling to get my child to attend kindergarten, I understand how heartbreaking it can be to watch your child struggle. My daughter, diagnosed recently with selective mutism, finds the school environment incredibly daunting. It’s painful to see her so anxious and withdrawn at school when I know how happy and relaxed, she is at home. This experience has deepened my understanding of the importance of teaching children coping strategies to manage their anxiety, especially during transitions like going back to school.

Teaching Anxiety Coping Strategies

Teaching children with autism how to access and use relaxation or coping strategies when they feel upset is vitally important. These strategies are not something most children can do independently at first. They require the same level of teaching and practice as learning to write their name or tie their shoes. However, mastering these skills can be one of the most important tools they acquire during their time at school or in therapy.

This lanyard card set is an easy way to give children a choice about what coping strategies the want to try.

Some effective strategies include:

• Taking a Deep Breath: Encourages children to slow down their breathing, which can help calm their nervous system.

• Favorite Object: If a child has a blanket or "lovey" it is a great idea to pack for moments of overwhelm

• Asking for a Hug: Physical contact can be reassuring and provide comfort.

• Being Alone for a Bit: Giving the child space to decompress away from overwhelming stimuli.

• Looking at a Glitter Jar: Watching the slow movement of glitter in a jar can be mesmerizing and soothing.

• Using a Sensory Swing: Provides vestibular input, which can help regulate sensory processing.

• Listening to Music: A favorite song can be grounding and distracting in a positive way.

• Taking a Break: Sometimes, just stepping away from the situation can help.

• Getting a Snack or Drink: Physical needs can sometimes be mistaken for emotional distress.

• Using a Fidget Toy: Helps channel nervous energy into something constructive.

• Jumping on a Mini-Trampoline: Provides proprioceptive input, which can be calming.

• Visualizing Something Happy: Encourages positive thinking and distraction from anxiety.

• Looking at a Book: Can provide a calming distraction.

• Counting: Simple counting exercises can focus the mind and reduce anxiety.

• Taking a Walk: Physical movement can help release nervous energy.

• Coloring or Drawing a Picture: A creative outlet for expressing feelings.

• Talking About Feelings: Encourages children to articulate what they’re experiencing.

Tools for Reducing Anxiety

While coping strategies can be effective for managing anxiety, they can also be paired with visuals, such as this set of coping skills lanyard pictures or social stories. Visual supports, like lanyard picture cards, provide children with a tangible way to access and choose the strategies that work best for them in moments of distress and social stories can help them understand and prepare for the new situations they may face.

Social skill stories are narratives that describe social situations and routines in simple language with pictures to help children understand what may happen. They can be an effective method for preparing children with autism for new experiences, such as starting or returning to school. By walking through what to expect in a school environment, social stories help reduce anxiety by making the unfamiliar more predictable. For more information on social skill stories and how to use them, you can explore this previous blog post [insert link to relevant blog post here].

For example, a social story about beginning school might outline the daily routine, describe the classroom setting, and introduce the people the child will meet. It can also include the coping strategies the child has been practicing, reinforcing their use in real-life situations. The repetitive and reassuring nature of social stories helps children with autism feel more prepared and less anxious about changes.

If you’re interested in using a social story to support your child’s transition back to preschool, this story is available. or this story for elementary age children. If your child is having difficulty separating from mom or dad this social skills story download may be helpful. Pairing a social story with Coping Strategy Lanyard Cards can provide a comprehensive approach to managing back-to-school anxiety.

Teaching and Customizing Coping Strategies with Lanyard Cards

Introducing coping strategies to children with autism requires patience and repetition. Teachers, therapists, or parents can begin by modeling the strategies themselves or using a doll or favorite character to demonstrate how each strategy works. This initial step helps the child observe the technique in a non-threatening context.

Once the strategy has been modeled, the adult can have the child practice the strategy while they are calm and not in a heightened state of anxiety. Practicing in a calm setting allows the child to become familiar with the strategy without the pressure of an immediate need. After some practice, the adult can gently prompt the child to use the strategy during moments of distress, offering guidance and support as needed.

It’s important to individualize the approach, as every child will respond differently to various strategies. For instance, some children may prefer visualizing something happy, while others might find comfort in physical activities like jumping on a mini-trampoline or using a sensory swing. Gradually reinforcing any attempts the child makes, even if they're just a little better, can help build confidence and mastery over time.

You can customize the lanyard cards by limiting them to the strategies that are most effective for your child or that are feasible within your environment, so they are not overwhelmed with too many choices. For instance, if a sensory swing isn’t available at school, you might choose to focus on other strategies like deep breathing or using a fidget toy. The key is to create a set of options that are accessible and meaningful for the child, making it easier for them to adopt these strategies as part of their daily routine.

These tools can often help children with autism feel more secure and confident as they transition into the school environment, making the start of the school year a more positive experience for everyone involved.

Research Supporting Anxiety Coping Skills in Autism

Research has shown that anxiety disorders are prevalent in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often co-occurring with other conditions like selective mutism. This can make transitions, like starting or returning to school, particularly difficult.

Studies indicate that anxiety in autistic children can be triggered by unexpected changes, sensory overload, or social challenges, making it crucial to teach individualized coping strategies​ (Organization for Autism Research)​ (National Autistic Society).

A study from the Organization for Autism Research highlighted the use of structured anxiety management programs tailored specifically for young children with autism. Techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, and the use of visual supports were found to be effective in helping children manage their anxiety.

The research also emphasized that these strategies need to be taught explicitly, similar to how academic or daily living skills are taught. This approach is critical, as children with ASD often require guided practice to become independent in using these strategies​ (Organization for Autism Research).

Empowering Children with Coping Skills and Social Stories

While teaching children coping strategies might require time and patience, the benefits are immense. If they can conquer their anxiety, they gain one of the most important skills they can acquire during their time at school or in therapy. These skills not only help them manage their emotions but also empower them to navigate the world with greater confidence and independence.