When My Worries Get Too Big!

This book was designed to help kids with anxiety-related issues (including, but definitely not limited to, kids with autism spectrum disorders) learn how to cope with stress and anxiety in everyday life.

This book is a great tool for parents and teachers to talk to their children/students and help them learn how to identify when they’re feeling stressed and decide what to do to alleviate the problem. Some of the tools presented in this book are a visual “emotion thermometer”, social story, and calming strategies to engage in when the child starts to get stressed. While most children won’t be able to pick this book up, read it, and utilize the strategies independently to begin with, it is a great teaching tool for parents and teachers with a multitude of uses.

Anxiety-related issues in children with autism spectrum disorders, including Asperger’s Syndrome, are very common (estimated between 18 and 87%). These issues can impact the child’s ability to interact with their peers, participate in or enjoy everyday activities, and communicate functionally. Teachers and parents need simple tools to help teach children how to identify when they’re anxious and how to self-calm rather than resorting to disruptive behaviors (i.e. biting, hitting, etc.) which can greatly impact their ability to engage in social situations.