Yesterday I ran across an interesting article explaining
connections between autism, anxiety, and sensory sensitivity. This week, Ann
Griswold’s article “Uncertainty drives anxiety, sensory issues in autism,” in
Spectrum (April 8, 2016) highlights recent research on
this topic. [To read this article, please click here.] According to new research,
fear of the unknown triggers anxiety and sensory sensitivity issues often found
in autism. Moreover, children with autism have difficulty predicting what will
happen in situations, causing them to become easily overwhelmed.
Studies have shown that up to 84 percent of children with autism have high levels of anxiety, and up to 70 percent have some form of sensory sensitivity. Research suggests that overreacting to sensory stimuli causes anxiety for people with autism. Under the direction of Elizabeth Pelliano, professor of psychology and human development at the University of London, researchers studied the relationship between anxiety, sensory issues, and difficulty in predicting future events found in children with autism. Their findings were recently published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
As Dr. Pelliano notes, “Autistic children want to have control over their environment, to make it more predictable.” Consequently, researchers suggest that teaching children with autism to use past experiences in order to predict future outcomes may help ease their anxiety and their sensory issues. In studying children with autism, researchers noted interaction between the three factors––anxiety, sensory sensitivity, and impaired prediction skills––but were uncertain which was the initial trigger.
For example, uncertainty about what might happen could cause anxiety that would make sensory overstimulation, such as loud noises, seem more threatening. On the other hand, uncertainty could cause the senses to be hyperaware in an attempt to protect oneself, leading to greater anxiety. In a third proposed scenario, sensory sensitivity could create uncertainty about an unpredictable environment, causing anxiety. Essentially, researchers are still determining which factor triggers the other two. Nonetheless, by improving prediction skills, perhaps sensory issues and anxiety can be eased in children with autism, giving them a greater sense of control.
Additional research cited in this article refers to predictive impairment in autism noted by Pawan Sinha, professor of vision and computational neuroscience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. On February 3, 2015, Spectrum published an article by Dr. Sinha and his associates entitled “Autism as a disorder of prediction in a ‘magical’ world” in which he discussed how children with autism often become overwhelmed in an unpredictable world. [To read this article, please click here.]
Describing this “magical world” theory of autism, Dr. Sinha explains that magic relies upon the element of surprise and unexpected outcomes. However, for children with autism, they are often unpleasantly surprised because they have trouble predicting what will happen, overlooking important clues that could help them prepare for the outcomes. Thus, the world seems chaotic to people with autism. He also suggests that repetitive behaviors frequently seen in autism are compensatory behaviors, a way to try to take control when they feel out of control. Although the usual intervention for children with sensory issues is to minimize their exposure to those stimuli that upset them (such as wearing headphones to minimize noise or sunglasses to ease light sensitivity), he recommends emphasizing the predictability of sensory triggers so that children can be prepared and not taken by surprise.
Both of these research studies hold particular interest for me because Alex deals not only with autism but also with anxiety and sensory issues. Although he has learned to cope with his sensitivities to light, sound, and touch through auditory integration therapy and sensory integration therapy, he suffers from extreme anxiety that is treated by ongoing cognitive therapy and medication.
April always seems to be a difficult month for him, as his anxiety most often arises at this time of the year. Over the years, we have tried to determine a cause so that we could better help him deal with his anxiety. We have pondered over the effects of the time change to Daylight Savings Time, barometric changes and increased pollen counts brought by typical rainy and windy spring weather, or just dealing with cabin fever from being cooped up in the winter time. In the past several days, I have found myself dealing with migraines triggered by air pressure and spring allergies, so I suspect physical triggers are likely behind Alex’s increased anxiety.
However, we have also tried to ascertain any emotional issues that have made him more anxious. This month, we have noted his reactions of involuntary shaking, grabbing my hands for reassurance, and a newly acquired hypochondria in which he tells us we need to cancel his appointments with his therapists because he suddenly has developed assorted symptoms that miraculously disappear as quickly as they appear. In other words, Alex seems perfectly fine physically and emotionally until it’s time for his appointments with his therapists, and then he panics for some unknown reason.
Fortunately, they all understand his anxiety issues and have been supportive and reassuring in trying to help him overcome these panic attacks. His music therapist even agreed to do Alex’s therapy sessions here at home instead of having us come to his office while Alex is in this anxious phase. His behavioral therapist has decided to shift her focus from social skills to dealing with anxiety in hopes of helping Alex strengthen his coping skills so that he can take control when he feels out of control. We know how blessed we are to have professionals who are not only helping us deal with Alex’s anxiety but who also genuinely care about him and want to help him.
While we would like to take away all the sensory stimuli and unpredictable situations in life that upset Alex, we know that would be impossible. Instead, we, along with his therapists, try to help him cope with his anxiety by teaching him how to take control of his emotions, especially when he feels out of control in situations that overwhelm him and take him by surprise. Along with developing his coping skills, we understand his need for schedules and routines, and we do our best to prepare him for potential outcomes. In a world that often seems unpredictable, we want him to know that he can always count on us. More importantly, we have taught him to develop a personal faith so that he knows he can always rely upon God in the midst of any storm. While we don’t know what the future holds, we know who holds our future—the One who can give Alex peace until healing takes away autism and the accompanying anxiety.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
Studies have shown that up to 84 percent of children with autism have high levels of anxiety, and up to 70 percent have some form of sensory sensitivity. Research suggests that overreacting to sensory stimuli causes anxiety for people with autism. Under the direction of Elizabeth Pelliano, professor of psychology and human development at the University of London, researchers studied the relationship between anxiety, sensory issues, and difficulty in predicting future events found in children with autism. Their findings were recently published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
As Dr. Pelliano notes, “Autistic children want to have control over their environment, to make it more predictable.” Consequently, researchers suggest that teaching children with autism to use past experiences in order to predict future outcomes may help ease their anxiety and their sensory issues. In studying children with autism, researchers noted interaction between the three factors––anxiety, sensory sensitivity, and impaired prediction skills––but were uncertain which was the initial trigger.
For example, uncertainty about what might happen could cause anxiety that would make sensory overstimulation, such as loud noises, seem more threatening. On the other hand, uncertainty could cause the senses to be hyperaware in an attempt to protect oneself, leading to greater anxiety. In a third proposed scenario, sensory sensitivity could create uncertainty about an unpredictable environment, causing anxiety. Essentially, researchers are still determining which factor triggers the other two. Nonetheless, by improving prediction skills, perhaps sensory issues and anxiety can be eased in children with autism, giving them a greater sense of control.
Additional research cited in this article refers to predictive impairment in autism noted by Pawan Sinha, professor of vision and computational neuroscience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. On February 3, 2015, Spectrum published an article by Dr. Sinha and his associates entitled “Autism as a disorder of prediction in a ‘magical’ world” in which he discussed how children with autism often become overwhelmed in an unpredictable world. [To read this article, please click here.]
Describing this “magical world” theory of autism, Dr. Sinha explains that magic relies upon the element of surprise and unexpected outcomes. However, for children with autism, they are often unpleasantly surprised because they have trouble predicting what will happen, overlooking important clues that could help them prepare for the outcomes. Thus, the world seems chaotic to people with autism. He also suggests that repetitive behaviors frequently seen in autism are compensatory behaviors, a way to try to take control when they feel out of control. Although the usual intervention for children with sensory issues is to minimize their exposure to those stimuli that upset them (such as wearing headphones to minimize noise or sunglasses to ease light sensitivity), he recommends emphasizing the predictability of sensory triggers so that children can be prepared and not taken by surprise.
Both of these research studies hold particular interest for me because Alex deals not only with autism but also with anxiety and sensory issues. Although he has learned to cope with his sensitivities to light, sound, and touch through auditory integration therapy and sensory integration therapy, he suffers from extreme anxiety that is treated by ongoing cognitive therapy and medication.
April always seems to be a difficult month for him, as his anxiety most often arises at this time of the year. Over the years, we have tried to determine a cause so that we could better help him deal with his anxiety. We have pondered over the effects of the time change to Daylight Savings Time, barometric changes and increased pollen counts brought by typical rainy and windy spring weather, or just dealing with cabin fever from being cooped up in the winter time. In the past several days, I have found myself dealing with migraines triggered by air pressure and spring allergies, so I suspect physical triggers are likely behind Alex’s increased anxiety.
However, we have also tried to ascertain any emotional issues that have made him more anxious. This month, we have noted his reactions of involuntary shaking, grabbing my hands for reassurance, and a newly acquired hypochondria in which he tells us we need to cancel his appointments with his therapists because he suddenly has developed assorted symptoms that miraculously disappear as quickly as they appear. In other words, Alex seems perfectly fine physically and emotionally until it’s time for his appointments with his therapists, and then he panics for some unknown reason.
Fortunately, they all understand his anxiety issues and have been supportive and reassuring in trying to help him overcome these panic attacks. His music therapist even agreed to do Alex’s therapy sessions here at home instead of having us come to his office while Alex is in this anxious phase. His behavioral therapist has decided to shift her focus from social skills to dealing with anxiety in hopes of helping Alex strengthen his coping skills so that he can take control when he feels out of control. We know how blessed we are to have professionals who are not only helping us deal with Alex’s anxiety but who also genuinely care about him and want to help him.
While we would like to take away all the sensory stimuli and unpredictable situations in life that upset Alex, we know that would be impossible. Instead, we, along with his therapists, try to help him cope with his anxiety by teaching him how to take control of his emotions, especially when he feels out of control in situations that overwhelm him and take him by surprise. Along with developing his coping skills, we understand his need for schedules and routines, and we do our best to prepare him for potential outcomes. In a world that often seems unpredictable, we want him to know that he can always count on us. More importantly, we have taught him to develop a personal faith so that he knows he can always rely upon God in the midst of any storm. While we don’t know what the future holds, we know who holds our future—the One who can give Alex peace until healing takes away autism and the accompanying anxiety.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
2 comments:
Interesting information, Pam! I hope Alex is able to find some relief soon. ❤️
Thanks, K.C.! He did better this week, so we hope whatever is bothering him is going away. Hope you and your family are doing well.
Love,
Pam
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