Anne Chalfant is a psychologist and the driving force behind Annie’s Centre, the first independent child and family health centre in Sydney.
Anne has developed a particular interest in managing anxiety in autism and co-authored The Cool Kids Anxiety Program: Autism Spectrum Disorders Adaptation (2011), a new cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) program for treating anxiety difficulties in people with an ASD.
Way back in 2008 Anne very generously offered to review some of the key chapters in the Australian Autism Handbook and Seana and I were very grateful for her expert contribution. Well now she has written her own book, and it’s terrific.
It’s called Managing Anxiety in People with Autism—A Treatment Guide for Parents, Teachers, and Mental Health Professionals. A few months ago I received a review copy of the book and was asked if I would be prepared to write a back cover blurb for it. I was so impressed that I wrote a glowing review, which does appear on the back cover. However, I can assure you that no money changed hands—every word I wrote is true!
I first read the book with my professional writer hat on, but I’m just about to re-read it as a mother, this time with highlighter pen and notebook at hand. Unfortunately Joe seems to be developing some problem behaviours at school that are strongly suggestive of anxiety (stress at needing to complete his schoolwork perfectly and before the other kids, and getting very agitated by changes to the school schedule) and we need to teach him how to manage this anxiety before he reaches the more challenging environment of high school, now only two and a bit years away.
However, about the book…
The first half of Managing Anxiety in People with Autism provides general information about anxiety (helping to differentiate between helpful and unhelpful anxiety), explains anxiety in the context of ASDs and why individuals with ASD are particularly vulnerable to anxiety (studies suggest a prevalence of approximately 40-50% amongst individuals on the spectrum but it may be even more common), and looks at the broader family impact of anxiety and how parents may inadvertently model anxious behaviour.
Anxiety in autism can manifest in many ways, as the book illustrates: classic social anxiety is common, but perfectionism, resistance to change and schoolwork (or, at worst, school) avoidance can all point to anxiety.
The second part of the book focuses on the treatment of anxiety in ASDs, both indirect and direct. Indirect treatments are defined as ‘strategies that parents and professionals can use to adjust either their behavio(u)r or the environment of someone with an ASD in order to reduce anxiety.’ Direct treatments examined include medications, psychoanalysis and alternative medicines. A whole chapter is dedicated to cognitive behaviour therapy. CBT is a well recognised and evidence-based treatment for anxiety and it’s exciting to think that this therapy can be modified to help individuals on the autism spectrum.
Finally, the book lists some helpful additional resources.
It’s an easy to read and practical book, with lots of headings, tables, diagrams, case studies and hands-on examples. A succinct summary follows each section. The style is accessible and, even though it’s also targeted at professionals, the average intelligent parent should be able to follow it without any problems. It’s also a book you can dip into and out of as you see fit—it’s not something you need to read cover to cover.
Chalfant is not claiming that the book will be a cure-all. She recommends seeking advice from a qualified professional if anxiety is severe. Moreover, even if the strategies she recommends are followed to the letter, progress will typically be of the ‘three steps forward, two steps back’ variety. That’s to be expected. However, readers of this book can expect to develop a greater understanding of anxiety in ASDs, and how to modify their environment and, importantly, their own behaviour to help their child.
If you have a child with ASD and anxiety, I can’t recommend this book highly enough.
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Nice review Benison, and I think I need to re-read this book with pen and paper. We do have some appts booked with a psych as Tom is thinking too much about some problems he’s having at high school. I was putting it down to obsessive thinking, usual obsessions thing. But must also discuss anxiety and get good advice.
No rest!
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