Autism and Anxiety: Developing Fear Ladders

Autism and Anxiety – Developing Fear Ladders
Graded exposure is a technique commonly used in cognitive behaviour therapy for children who experience heightened distress and anxiety to certain situations or objects. Exposure techniques aim to reduce anxiety symptoms and behaviour, which occurs in response to these situations and or objects by repeatedly and consistently demonstrating to the child his or her ability to cope. Graduated exposure is a process of slowing and methodically exposing the child to these experiences incorporating relaxation techniques. This process helps the child to realise he or she can cope with these situations or objects.
This training will explain the concept of gradual exposure and teach how to develop fear ladders and associated strategies that may be used to help the child with his or her fears. Fear ladders encourage children and young people to recognise and manage their fears rather than avoid them. With this strategy, exposure to what the child or young person finds fearful is approached in a step-by-step manner with consideration always given to the child or young person’s level of anxiety 
This training will help 
•    Gain an increased understanding of the concept of gradual exposure
•    To understand the steps involved in developing a fear ladder
•    Provide ideas for fear ladders based on common fears in autism
•    Provide templates which can be used to implement an individualised fear ladder 
•    Incorporate relaxation techniques within graded exposure process