Aspie Anxiety in the Time of COVID 19

“…nearly half of those with ASD also have some sort of anxiety by adulthood.” Louise Bedrossian, 2015

Fear and Our Brains

After our brains respond to fear there is a period of de-activation or calming down. In individuals on the Spectrum the initial response to fear results in less of an initial activation. Bedrossian states, “this suggests that people with ASD are slower to differentiate safety vs. danger.”

Brains, Fear and Anxiety

Put another way: Aspie’s brains develop differently. Neurotransmitters develop differently. Brains respond differently to certain cues. Because individuals on the Spectrum have some difficulty reading cues for fear and for safety this may lead to anxiety.

Aspies react differently

Aspie’s have difficulty perceiving social cues. Aspies experience sensory sensitivity. Aspies find change to be difficult. Enter the Pandemic! Picture yourself as an Aspie student: middle school,

high school, college level. Anxiety for Aspies might be triggered by: crowded places., loud sounds, smells, change in routing, changes that are part of everyday in life in school and college settings.student

And In the Time of COVID 19

Imagine that you are a student who has had a change in a learning environment due to the Pandemic. Imagine that you are a student who has had a change in living situation as well. Both of these can be anxiety producing especially for Aspies.

Consider the class format has changed, assignments are different, group learning has changed. Other anxiety producing triggers which include learning how to schedule one’s time that was previous  scheduled by virtue of the learning environment: getting to a class, etc.

Additionally Aspies may or often experience anxiety around socially interacting with others: meeting with advisors, teachers/ professors, other student s and study groups.

We are Here to Help

Connect Therapies offers support in the form of individual therapy to learn coping strategies. We are here to help you lower anxiety during this time of change. We understand that changes in your daily routine, living and study situation and changes in interaction with others can cause anxiety.

I recently found a new resource that offers virtual support for Aspies and their families. Take a look : https://www.aane.org/

Contact Connect Therapies counselors at 970 286 0054

or via email: sally@connecttherapiesllc.com.

Or fill out the online contact form found under the Contact Us tab.