![\"Child](\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/elopement-small-700x441.jpg\")
<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>Melanie Glock<\/a><\/span><\/span>2025-04-16T15:20:26-05:00<\/span>Treatment of Elopement: Safety Tips and Considerations in Programming<\/a><\/h4>
Melanie Glock<\/a><\/span><\/span>2025-04-16T15:20:26-05:00<\/span>April 15th, 2025<\/span>|<\/span>Autism Spectrum Disorders<\/a>, Challenging Behaviors<\/a>, Parenting<\/a>, Research<\/a>, School Issues<\/a>, Sensory<\/a>, Ways to Help<\/a>, Webinar<\/a>|<\/span><\/p>
Handouts are online HERE Description -- Elopement, running or wandering away from supervision, is an incredibly dangerous behavior that is prevalent among autistic youth. This talk will review preventative<\/p><\/div><\/article>
![\"kid](\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/AdobeStock_25015564-700x441.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>Melanie Glock<\/a><\/span><\/span>2025-08-25T11:42:59-05:00<\/span>Research Updates: Bringing Sleep and Autism into Community Settings<\/a><\/h4>
Melanie Glock<\/a><\/span><\/span>2025-08-25T11:42:59-05:00<\/span>March 17th, 2025<\/span>|<\/span>Autism Spectrum Disorders<\/a>, News<\/a>, Parenting<\/a>, Self Care<\/a>, Sensory<\/a>, Sleep Issues<\/a>, Social Skills<\/a>, Ways to Help<\/a>, Webinar<\/a>|<\/span><\/p>
Beth Malow, MD, shares current research updates on sleep and autism. She highlights the multifactorial nature of sleep patterns and how they affect daily functioning and core autism traits like emotion<\/p><\/div><\/article>
![\"Trauma](\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Trauma-Word-Cloud-700x441.png\")
<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>Melanie Glock<\/a><\/span><\/span>2025-03-31T18:50:57-05:00<\/span>Autism and Trauma: Research Updates<\/a><\/h4>
Melanie Glock<\/a><\/span><\/span>2025-03-31T18:50:57-05:00<\/span>March 11th, 2025<\/span>|<\/span>Adults on the Spectrum<\/a>, Anxiety<\/a>, Autism Spectrum Disorders<\/a>, bullying<\/a>, Challenging Behaviors<\/a>, Gender<\/a>, Health<\/a>, Research<\/a>, Self Care<\/a>, seniors<\/a>, Sensory<\/a>, Sexuality<\/a>, Social Skills<\/a>, Ways to Help<\/a>, Webinar<\/a>|<\/span><\/p>
Dr. Connor Kerns delivers research updates on the intersection of trauma and autism. She describes the relationship between childhood adversities, trauma, and mental health and highlights the need for trauma measurements that are<\/p><\/div><\/article>
Anxiety disorders are among the common comorbidities of autism spectrum disorder. The reason for this overlap is still under investigation. However, several treatments for anxiety may deliver positive results for people with both anxiety and autism spectrum disorder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Anxiety is an emotion marked by heightened alertness. This emotion is a natural response to a threat or stressor. When the symptoms persist after the stressor is removed, or when the anxiety response becomes chronic, this may indicate an anxiety disorder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> Common symptoms of anxiety disorders include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Several of these symptoms overlap with common symptoms of autism. These include repetitive behavior, the rigidity of routine, rituals, flat affect, or limited social interactions. The overlap can make it more difficult to identify anxiety disorders in people who already have an autism diagnosis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorder in the United States, affecting about <\/span>18% of the general population<\/span><\/a>. Research has shown that the incidence of anxiety in people with autism <\/span>may be significantly<\/span> higher than in the general population. One systematic review of the published research on anxiety and autism found that almost <\/span>40% of children<\/span><\/a> with autism and 50% of adults with autism experience some sort of anxiety disorder (Van Steensel, 2011). <\/span>Adolescents and school-age children<\/span><\/a> with autism have the highest prevalence of clinical (40%) and subclinical anxiety (26%) compared to other age groups with autism. This mirrors patterns found in the general population.<\/span><\/p>\n Specific phobias are the <\/span>most common form<\/span><\/a> of anxiety disorder among people with autism. A person with a phobia experiences extreme distress when exposed to a specific stimulus or situation. Obsessive-Compulsive disorder and social anxiety disorder also occur frequently.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Anxiety and autism can interact in ways that intensify the challenges for a person living with these disorders. The symptoms of autism may make anxiety more challenging to manage. At the same time, the symptoms of anxiety may create barriers for a person with autism as they work with clinicians and therapists, interact with friends and family, and pursue personal or professional goals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Although the research above has shown that anxiety is more common in people with autism, researchers are still exploring why this is the case. Each individual may experience the overlap between anxiety and autism differently depending on their personal combination of symptoms and skills.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In the webinar <\/span>Anxiety, Autism: Five Prime Suspects<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Christopher Lynch, Ph.D., explores five ways that anxiety and autism may interact.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Other possible explanations for the overlap between autism and anxiety include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Both caregivers and people with autism should look out for signs of anxiety. <\/span>Some symptoms of anxiety overlap with symptoms of autism. This can make anxiety more difficult to identify in a person with autism.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A person experiencing anxiety may lose their appetite or eat more than normal. They may struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep. Sometimes, anxiety can look a lot like anger or fear. Stay alert to changes over time to help you decide whether this is a passing mood or a long-term condition.<\/span><\/p>\n You may notice an increase in repetitive or compulsive behaviors or an increase in sensory sensation-seeking behaviors. These behaviors may represent an attempt to decrease or manage anxiety.<\/span><\/p>\n It can be helpful to keep a journal to track behaviors and moods. A written record is more reliable than casual observations and memory. Notice changes in sleep, appetite, excitement over special interests, and overall daily mood.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you or someone you care for is experiencing anxieties, talk to your clinician. They may be able to recommend strategies or treatments to help manage anxiety. Your clinician may also refer you to a specialist or provide access to supportive resources.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Work with your clinician to identify strategies and treatment options to address anxiety. Here are a few of the treatments and strategies your clinician may suggest:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Anxiety, much like depression<\/a>, is a common comorbidity of autism. It is also treatable. If you notice changes in mood or behavior, you can talk to your doctor about possible interventions or treatments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n ARI thanks Amy Keefer, PhD, ABPP of the Kennedy Krieger Institute for her ARU webinar, which was the basis of this article. For more on anxiety and autism watch the presentation.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>What is anxiety?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\""Understanding](\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/preview-full-Understanding-and-Treating-Anxiety-in-Autism-cover-e1601397453316.jpg\" "\\"preview-full-Understanding")
<\/span><\/div>A new book, titled\u00a0Understanding and Treating Anxiety in Autism,<\/em>\u00a0is now available from Jessica Kingsley Publishers.\u00a0 The book is edited by ARI\u2019s executive director, Stephen M. Edelson, and past ARI Board member, Jane B. Johnson, and consists of chapters written by leading experts in the autism field.\u00a0Understanding and Treating Anxiety in Autism<\/em> summarizes the current perspectives and research on anxiety in autism including neurology, medical, immunology, gastrointestinal, nutrition, sensory, and behavioral. Learn more<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div>
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How common is anxiety?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Why are rates of anxiety higher in people with autism?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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How to spot signs of anxiety<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Strategies to address anxiety<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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