Teaching Students with Anxiety Disorders

Having spent 15 years working with adolescent students who had emotional and /or behavioral disorders, I frequently encountered students who had anxiety disorders. While all children feel anxious and nervous at times, most of these fears and worries are short-term. (For example: A young child may express fear about spiders for a few months.) However, some children and adolescents experience anxieties so severe that they interfere with everyday activities.

Students with anxiety disorders, often experience low self-esteem and difficulty making and keeping friends. Unlike other disorders, adolescents who experience anxiety disorders are often withdrawn, quiet and compliant. Because they are withdrawn, quiet and compliant, many people often miss the indicators that an adolescent may be experiencing anxiety disorders. In fact, "Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental, emotional, and behavioral problems to occur during childhood and adolescence. About 13 of every 100 children and adolescents ages 9 to 17 experience some kind of anxiety disorder; girls are affected more than boys.", as cited in, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (1999). Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Some of the most common anxiety disorders experienced by adolescents include:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive

Disorder

Panic

Disorder

Phobias

Post-Traumatic

Stress Disorder

In a classroom setting, anxiety disorders may manifest in behaviors which include, but are not limited to:

Tardiness and/or absences

Crying

Difficulty with transitions

Frequent Lack of interaction with peers

Strong, tense reactions to common life events

If you have a student in class who is experiencing anxiety disorders, here are some ideas for assisting them:

Team with parents to develop strategies

Encourage completion of activities and assignments, yet allow extra time on

Communicate with parents about what you observe

Develop and follow a regular predictable classroom routine

If possible, decrease homework load

Encourage the student to keep a written log of assignments and due dates

Allow students to take a "break" (i.e. go get a drink) if they seem to become overwhelmed

Embarrassment is a concern for all adolescents, but is multiplied in students experiencing anxiety disorders. Modifications and adaptations should been accomplished with subtle non-intrusive methods to allow the student to maintain a sense of dignity and responsibility. Blatant, harsh criticisms of these students will perpetuate their fears of failure and feed into their cycles of anxiety and avoidance.

It may also be helpful, to get permission to speak with any mental health practitioners who are involved with the child. These professionals can help you gain a better understanding of the disorder, and work with you to develop effective interventions for the student in you classroom. In turn, you provide to the mental health professional beneficial insight into how the child acts in and academic setting, which can help the professional treat the child in a more holistic manner.