Classrooms place constant demands on visual attention. Students are expected to manage busy walls, worksheets, screens, peer movement, and instructional materials throughout the day. While some students move through these environments with ease, others appear quickly overwhelmed or fatigued. Understanding how trait anxiety and visual processing are associated can help educators and therapists think more […]
Sensory processing and anxiety are intricately linked in children and adolescents. Research has shown that altered sensory processing is associated with symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders (ADs) in youth. Understanding these connections can help parents, educators, and mental health professionals support children who face these challenges. Understanding Sensory Processing in Children Sensory […]
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health issues affecting children and adolescents in the United States. A 504 plan for anxiety is a written plan designed to help students with anxiety disorders succeed in a school setting. The 504 plan is named after Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a federal civil rights […]
Do you work with children who are anxious at school or at home? Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues in the United States, and it can affect people of all ages. For students, anxiety can interfere with their ability to learn and participate in class. Here are some tips for helping […]
Anxiety can be very difficult for children resulting in considerable stress with negative consequences on daily living skills. There are many strategies to help with anxiety in children. Many children with co-morbid conditions such as autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disabilities are at greater risk for anxiety. Parents, teachers and children can learn strategies to […]
What comes first – difficulties with sensory modulation, anxiety or ritual behaviors? In children, it can be very hard to determine how the three are all inter-connected if at all. The Journal of Physical and Occupational Therapy published research investigating the relationships between sensory responsiveness, anxiety, and ritual behaviors in 48 boys (ages 5-9) with […]
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese type of exercise program with its roots coming from martial arts. It emphasizes a mind body connection using slow, gentle movements, meditation and deep breathing. Tai chi requires all the major muscle groups and joints to complete the slow, gentle movements. Tai chi has been shown to improve balance, […]
The American Journal of Occupational Therapy published research on the relationship between ADHD, sensory overresponsivity and anxiety. Forty eight children in total were studied with and without ADHD. The children were assessed using the Sensory Over-Responsivity Inventory and the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS). Results indicated that the children who had ADHD and sensory […]