Anticipation and Anxiety
A teenager who describes herself as being diagnosed with high-functioning autism sent an e-mail asking if other kids with autism got nervous before traveling or other big events. She wrote: “I’ve noticed that I have some anxiety, especially before an event. It usually starts right when I’m told about something. Like right now I’m nervous about our family vacation coming up next week. Do other kids express that sort of anxiety?”
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SPECIFIC STRATEGY Most people get a little nervous when they move out of the comfort of their own home and their regular daily routine. There is something that causes individuals functioning on the spectrum of autism to be more anxious and to want to hold even more tightly to familiar places and people and routines. Some of my friends with autism – kids, teens, and adults – become so anxious about change that they are simply unable to travel to new places or participate in events with unfamiliar people or happenings. It sounds like, in spite of your anxiety, you are willing to take this trip with your family.
I encourage you to tell your family that you are feeling nervous. They may or may not understand why a person would be nervous about going on a fun vacation, but they need to know that you are feeling some anxiety. I also encourage you to pack a little bag or backpack with some stuff to help you feel connected with home. You could take your pillow slip, your favorite pajamas, and a small photo album with pictures of your pets, friends, bedroom, and house. Don’t forget to pack a camera, a map of your vacation destination, and some money for postcards so you can keep some souvenirs from your trip.
You can find more ideas about taking trips in one of our earlier podcasts called “Vacations” – just click on the category “Quality of Life” on the left column on the home page of FAQautism.com, then click on “Vacations” for some more ideas for making your trip fun. After you get home, don’t forget to send me an e-mail with a few snapshots of sights you enjoyed on your vacation. By the way, your anxiety will probably follow you wherever you go, but you can learn to tuck it away in your bags and enjoy your travels.
CLOSING NOTE: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. You can click on a button to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solutions. Check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. www.FAQautism.com
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