My most recent video blog post shows my work with a young man with Autism who is also blind. He often experiences anxiety and so we are focusing on some relaxation strategies.
Whether you are a parent, teacher or therapist, you can try these strategies with individuals who experience stress and anxiety.
So what can you do to help someone with anxiety? You can:
Have calming instrumental music playing at 60 to 90 beats per minute (resting heart rate). You can find the music I used in this video from my album of relaxation music called, An Open Sky.
Use slow, deep breathing techniques as illustrated in this video.
Lead some simple seated yoga moves and pair these with slow deep breaths
Write a song about using deep breathes to calm oneself. Or you can just use mine!!! :)
Pair taking slow deep breaths with a soothing instrument such as a lap harp or a rain stick.
Keep your words and directives/prompts to a minimum.
Turn down the lights! Avoid using fluorescents if possible.
Give a fidget toy or mouthing/chew toy to help them get the sensory input that they need to become regulated.
Use deep pressure if that what your child craves (consult with an OT about how to do this).
Many people also respond well to swinging so if you have a swing, use it.
Consult with an Occupational or Physical Therapist! OT's and PT's can be great resources for sensory regulation strategies.
As with any intervention, it all depends on the individual and his/her specific needs and challenges, so be observant and try to learn more about their sensory needs.
Ryan Judd is a board certified music therapist. He has a master's degree in Music Therapy and a bachelor's degree in Psychology, with an emphasis on Child Development. He has been working as a music therapist with children with special needs for more than 16 years. In addition to working one on one with clients, Ryan also leads groups focused on the development of social skills. His services are available in Southern New Hampshire, Northern Massachussets and Southern Maine. He lives in the Seacoast region with his wife who is a 1st grade teacher.
