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 to understand the world around them, and that is sure to cause anxiety and panic at times.
Anxiety worsens even more when there is a change in the autistic child’s routine. Even positive and “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 pictures to prepare children for impending interruptions. If it’s a field trip to the zoo, for example, use pictures to show your child what he will see at the zoo, what the zoo will be like, and what kinds of things to expect. Do this every day for three to four days before the trip. That way, when the journey actually happens, the child will not be completely out of his element, but will already understand and appreciate something of what will happen.
Other changes in routine are less pleasant but necessary. Getting a new teacher can be traumatic, as can moving to a new home. If possible, try to spread the word about the main changes. If you are moving to a new home, 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 extra time in front of the television instead of doing 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 a negative change (changing playtime 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 and ongoing anxiety, many parents have started using anti-anxiety medications for their autistic children. The drugs are generally 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 behavior 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 dose of medication possible, for improvement and for adverse reactions. Medications should be the last resort for autism, not the first. There are several natural remedies available if you don’t want to go the drug route. But try behavioral and dietary modifications first, to see what improvements can be made naturally.