Jill Feldman, one of the occupational therapists at Building Bridges Therapy, has just completed the continuing education course "Anxiety: Treatment Techniques that Work." Jill sought out this course due to the increase in the number of children being referred to occupational therapy due to anxiety disorders.Trends have shown over the last few years that there is a steady increase in children being diagnosed with anxiety, either as a primary or secondary diagnosis. When children are referred for occupational therapy, the reasons they are evaluated are usually for Sensory Processing Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Low Muscle Tone, etc. Occupational therapists may chose to view these symptoms as sensory processing and motor planning delays that result in anxiety or the anxiety causes the child to struggle with maneuvering in his/her own environment. Completing this course has provided Jill with new techniques to help children who are having trouble coping and other avenues for help have been unsuccessful.
The most helpful suggestions that were applicable in the pediatric setting were as follows:
1. Understand what the triggers of the anxiety producing behaviors are, if possible.
2. Ask the right questions, i.e. "What would make school more bearable for you," and "Now that we have a plan, what is your willingness to actually follow through with this plan," and "What if your worst case scenario happened? Let us plan around that and then there is no longer a need to focus on the 'What will I do if...'"
3. Giving concrete visual cuing is helpful, specifically when discussing what is the child in control of and what is out of his/her control. This is referred to as the "Circles of Influence."
4. Have the child actually tell a trusted adult or peer (friend), "This type of activity makes me anxious," stating that typically reduced stress.
5. Take the negative thoughts or comments and turn them positive, or talk through them to show the negativity.
These 5 tools alone have greatly improved the knowledge, understanding, and the flow of treatment sessions. If the children are happier, the more likely the chance of carry over of these skills in other environments, and therefore control over how anxiety impacts the child's day-in day-out life.
Questions? Comments? As always, please feel free to leave a comment below or email us at BBTherapyInc@gmail.com.
