Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 9

A Note to Readers 10

Introduction 12

Part 1 Understanding Anxiety and Autism

1 What Is Anxiety? 16

2 Why Do Children with Autism Experience Anxiety? 25

3 How Does Anxiety Present in Children with Autism? 33

4 What are the Signs That a Child Needs Help with Their Anxiety? 44

Part 2 Strategies for Managing Anxiety in Children with Autism

5 Where Should You Start When Supporting Your Child to Manage Their Anxiety? 50

6 What Are Supportive Parenting Behaviors? 66

7 Separation Anxiety 75

8 Social Anxiety 84

9 Specific Phobia 97

10 Generalized Anxiety 106

11 A Special Case: Pathological Demand Avoidance 113

12 Managing Meltdowns 123

13 Other Common Expressions of Anxiety in Children with Autism 131

Part 3 Seeking Additional Support

14 How to Help Educators and Carers Understand Your Child's Anxiety 142

15 Seeking Professional Help 148

Useful Resources 158

Appendix: Behavior Recording Chart 162

Bibliography 165

Index 171