Anxiety is one of those disabilities/disorders that can be easily brushed off by others. When we were growing up, my younger sister had a severe anxiety disorder that went undiagnosed because the adults in her life didn’t believe that anxiety was a real thing. It was something you were just supposed to get over. There was no understanding about the gravity of the disorder. Nor was there understanding of the comorbidities that often come along with it–things like eating disorders, depression, self-harm, etc. Now we know a little more about anxiety disorders, but it is still something that often gets pushed to the side and adults have little understanding of–or patience with–it. That “just get over it” mindset is still prevalent and still affecting our kids. 

But how do you know if it’s a true anxiety disorder versus something more short-term or fleeting? If you’re concerned your child, yourself, or another loved one may be suffering from an anxiety disorder, I encourage you to connect with a doctor or check into getting a neuropsychological evaluation. There are many insurances who completely cover the evaluation or who can do them at little out of pocket cost. Nothing here on Navigating “Normal” replaces the advice or diagnosis of a diagnostician. If your child attends a public school in the United States, you also can ask your school to do a 504 evaluation and your school’s 504 committee will get the ball rolling. 

Generalized Anxiety can manifest in many different ways and children with anxiety may…

• Appear more clingy than normal
• Be restless and fidgety 
• Complain of stomachaches
• Display changes in eating and sleeping habits
• Express negative thoughts or worries
• Get upset or angry more quickly
• Have unexplained bouts of crying
• Struggle to concentrate
• Frequently miss school
• Struggle falling asleep
• Plan out conversations that haven’t happened yet or dwell on ones that have 

There are some accommodations the school (or you) can provide to help your child as they work through their disorder such as:

• Individual Therapy (some insurances completely cover the cost of your child to go to therapy–it’s work checking benefits!) 
• Passes for a break (or homework break)
• Subtle hand signals or sticky note system so they can let the teacher know they have a question or need a break
• Pre-Prepared notes to fill in so they don’t have to copy everything from the board 
• Preferential Seating
• Use of a tape recorder 
• Extended time
• Use of a weighted blanket or vest 
• Use of appropriate fidget items 
• A calm space for them to go when feeling overwhelmed to reset 

Anxiety is often a lifelong disorder, but it can be treated and managed in a way that allows your child to live a happy and healthy life. Teaching your child how to manage their anxiety and sentence stems or scripts they can use to help teach others or advocate for themselves as they get older can help them as well.