Ep. 49: Understanding and Addressing Anxiety in Autism – Strategies for Special Education

This episode explores the intersection of autism and anxiety, highlighting how to identify and address anxiety-driven behaviors in students with autism through evidence-based, student-centered approaches.✨ Key Takeaways✔️ We address a recent Facebook group question about trichotillomania and anxiety.✔️ Recognizing Anxiety in Autism: Girls with autism often exhibit higher levels of social anxiety due to heightened awareness of social differences.✔️ The Evolution of ABA: 20 years ago, internal events like anxiety were often ignored in behavior analysis. Today, there's a stronger focus on addressing underlying causes.✔️ Avoid the "Whack-a-Mole" Game: Replacing a behavior without addressing the root issue can lead to other problem behaviors emerging.✔️ Strategies That Work: Combine behavioral interventions (like DRI) with approaches that reduce anxiety triggers and stressors.📚 Resources and Ideas✔️ Grab the free anxiety visuals here✔️ See the Calm Corner visuals to support your classroom here📘 Journal Articles – Some useful articles to check out:     An update on anxiety in youth with autism spectrum disorders (reviews recent evidence regarding the characteristics, assessment, and treatment of anxiety in youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders)      Anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Clinical Characteristics and the Role of the Family (examines anxiety disorders as common psychiatric comorbidities in children and adolescents with ASD) 🌐 Find Dana at High Ground Divorces Join Us...🎙 Next Episode: Figuring out the function of a behavior when it's tricky! 🌟 Subscribe: Don’t miss upcoming episodes on practical strategies and must-have resources for behavior support! 📢 Share this episode with a teacher, BCBA, or administrator looking for fresh approaches to special education and behavior analysis!💬 Get Involved: Share your ideas in our Facebook group or tag us on social media. @TheMisfitBehaviorists📚 Connect: Follow us for more tips, tools, and discussions about all things behavior and education.  Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists😍 More, you say? We’re here for you! Apple podcast | The Misfit BehavioristsYouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists👋 Find us!Audra | ABA in School  Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!