10 Ways to Support Learners with Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders occur on a spectrum and can impact children in a variety of ways. Some
children may deal with low levels of apprehension, while other children develop severe and
intense anxiety. While students with anxiety will benet from the following
recommendaons, consider implemenng them in larger groups such as classrooms or group
therapy. In these groups, they pracce telespeech therapy and occupaonal therapy. This
promotes an inclusive environment from which all learners can benet.
Use structure:
Incorporate daily and weekly rounes to help children learn what to expect. Post schedules
in a visible area. This is especially important for older children who have rotang or complex
schedules. If there are any upcoming changes in rounes (such as a substute or a re drill),
give children advance noce whenever possible.
Provide a ‘just right’ challenge:
Allow students to learn and grow while building their self-condence. Grade your acvies so
that they are just challenging enough to stretch the child’s learning. For further assistance,
you may consult online speech therapy.
Oer choice:
By using a topic, subject, or medium that is excing to students, they will naturally gravitate
toward engagement. Especially when an assignment or acvity is new and daunng, a small
piece of choice can movate children to iniate the task. This could include anything from
designing a math problem based on their favorite sports team to giving a book report on their
favorite classic.
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