1.1. Offer choices.

Offering options, like choosing between two
different outfits or a few different food choices,
provides kids with some positive opportunities for
control in their day.

2. Teach self-awareness.

Providing age and developmentally appropriate
information about their condition will help them
understand what they’re capable of and ensure
they are not left frustrated with unanswered
questions about themselves.

3. Focus on uniqueness.

Have a positive outlook that focuses on their
uniqueness rather than their disability.

4. Get social.

Seek out peer support networks in your
community for you and your child. In addition to
seeking broader social opportunities, try to help
your child foster a few more intimate friendships
by planning one-on-one playdates.

Most children have a safe person, activity or
space that tends to calm them down. Learn all of
the things that comfort your child and have them
on hand when you notice something may be
triggering the anxiety.

6. Be a bookworm.

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5. Learn what soothes them.

Reading books and social stories that teach
children how to navigate stressful situations can
help them better handle real-world events that
may trigger anxiety. Also, reading about other
children with disabilities can help normalize their
experience while boosting their self-esteem.

who are not able to verbalize their feelings,
hearing you try to describe what they seem to be
expressing can be very helpful.

8. Be consistent.

One of the best ways to help children experience
less anxiety is to incorporate routines into every
element of their day. Predictability helps them feel
more in control and less anxious. When schedule
changes inevitably arise, try to take time to
communicate and help them process these
changes in advance.

9. Seek help.

Please don’t try to manage your child’s anxiety
on your own. Seek help from professionals who
can provide appropriate medication and therapy.

Further, seek help from your village. As much
as you love and appreciate your child, raising
a child with special needs takes tremendous
effort. When you have bad days or seasons, be
vulnerable with your friends and community and
ask for the help you need. It could be as simple
as having a friend sit with your child while you
take a long shower. You could ask your church
or neighbors for help with meals. You could seek
out carpools for school or medical appointments.

Your child benefits as much as you do when you
seek help; you are better able to care for and
appreciate them.

10. Be a calm and cool role model.

While it is certainly easier said than done, as
much as possible, try to model calm. Manage
your own anxiety in healthy ways by practicing
self-care and seeking out support when you can.

Your example can help your child understand
that anxiety is a normal and natural part of life,
and healthy and unhealthy ways of coping with
it exist. Problem solving, seeking help, caring for
yourself, knowing your limits and engaging in
activities that foster your mental wellness are all
healthy ways to help you manage your anxiety. T
7. Validate their feelings.

Help your children understand their feelings by
narrating what’s going on. Giving them the words
or signs to articulate what they’re feeling will
help them feel less frustrated. Even for children
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