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Anxiety in the School / Classroom Environment

Anxiety in the School / Classroom Environment. Kym Asam, LICSW NFI Vermont. Objectives. Define anxiety Identify manifestations of anxiety Identify causes of anxiety Be able to identify signs and symptoms of anxiety in children

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Anxiety in the School / Classroom Environment

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  1. Anxiety in the School / Classroom Environment Kym Asam, LICSW NFI Vermont

  2. Objectives • Define anxiety • Identify manifestations of anxiety • Identify causes of anxiety • Be able to identify signs and symptoms of anxiety in children • Develop and discuss multi-tiered strategies for supporting students

  3. Regulate to educate “No matter how exciting and meaningful and supported the learning experience is designed to be, the child cannot reap the cognitive benefits from it unless she feels calm enough to be curious.” McMahon, 2011

  4. Myths & Stereotypes • Students with mental health problems are just looking for attention. • It’s just typical childhood angst. • Why doesn’t she/he just shake it off? • He’s just using ______ as an excuse. • Popular kids don’t have mental health problems.

  5. What is Anxiety? • Disorder of the brain affecting: • Thoughts • Feelings • Behaviors • Physical Health

  6. Anxiety continued • Fear, apprehension, worry, sense of dread • Distress or uneasiness of mind that is accompanied by physical sensations • Manifests in order to deal with threats • Might cause person to escape / avoid • Confirmatory bias https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCnfAzAIhVw Helpful to a point….

  7. Anxiety Signs and Symptoms • Feeling extreme tension • Constant and excessive worry / fear • Feeling the need to maintain control • Fear of being out of control • Difficulty relaxing • Avoidance of situations • Panic attacks • Obsessions and compulsions • Can’t vs. Won’t https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oup7GiAtew

  8. Signs and Symptoms (continued) • Frequent self-criticism • Attempts at being “perfect” • Physical manifestations like racing heart, stomach aches, increased body temp. • Fidgety behaviors • Difficulty concentrating • Social withdrawal and isolation • Irritability / anger • Insomnia or restless sleep • Low self-esteem / self-efficacy • Increase risk in depression

  9. Causes of Anxiety:Mutually Interacting Factors

  10. Anxiety’s Interference with Learning • Frequent interruptions in learning • Performance anxiety • High levels of self-criticism / perfectionism • Avoidance of what is anxiety-producing (class, school) • Intrusive worry thoughts • Sleep disruptions affect availability to learn • Lack of participation • Low self-esteem and self-efficacy • Difficulty concentrating • Working Memory

  11. General Strategies to Intervene • Healthy Attachment • Affect management • Attunement • Consistency • Competency • Avoid if, then… • Reduce sequential expectations

  12. Adult Affect Management Can the adult: • Express a range of affect? • Understand own triggers? • Manage own behaviors in face of child’s affect? • Maintain good boundaries? • Use own supports/resources?

  13. Attunement The ability to accurately and empathically understand and respond to children’s actions, communications, needs, and feelings.

  14. Competency3 Key Principles • Build student executive functioning skills • Target self-development and identity • Target additional key developmental tasks The student develops an ability to evaluate situations, inhibit impulsive responses and actively make choices. Source = Margaret Blaustein and Margaret Kinniburg

  15. Universal Strategies • Relationship • Reduction in visual noise • Environmental considerations • Frequent movement breaks • Visual schedules

  16. Universal Strategies • Multi-modal learning • Pilate balls for sitting • Presentation alternatives • Multiple classroom stations • Model Coping Strategies • Psychoeducation – mind body: body mind

  17. Targeted Strategies • Schedule check-ins (CICO) • Change the environment to change behavior • Teacher Check, Connect and Expect (TCCE) • Small group learning opportunities • Social skills groups • Adjust homework load

  18. Targeted Strategies • Validation and empathy • Stress balls/fidget items • High preference activities/jobs • Adult anchoring • Pair success with reward • Exposure/desensitization

  19. Intensive Strategies • Private signal for stress identification • Individual stress reduction work • Engage student in planning • Family involvement and input • Exposure/desensitization

  20. Intensive Strategies • Proactive intervention (attunement) • Specific and tailored educational plan • Adjusted homework load • Increased time to finish assignments • Grade attempts vs. whole assignments • Alternative assignments (audio recorded, video taped at home, audio voiceover of presentation) • Alternatives to recess, cafeteria, assembly, etc.

  21. Questions

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