WORKING with, not just DEALING with Student Anxiety

Hello Parents, students and teachers,

We recently tweeted about an article regarding working with students who have anxiety. The blog is named Technolandy by Ian Landry. His Twitter handle is @technolandy. The blog post appears here:

http://technolandy.wordpress.com/2014/02/20/day-110-of-184-anxiety-107-a-blunt-approach-to-anxiety/



There are some great points about supporting students who are working through/with anxiety. Some of these points we have copied exactly from the blog. I strongly encourage you to read the entire post.

Ian Landy has suggested:

• Anxious students need to be at And stay on school. 
• Establish a schedule and stick with it - a target with an immediate feedback loop. 
• Being at school does not always mean being in the classroom. They may need a safe person, place or time. 
• Being in the classroom does not mean doing work. Time needs to be spent building relationships with others. 
• Eventually, we will need to push. There is a fine balancing act between providing support and enabling the anxiety. 
• Anxious kids are smart. 
• General Anxiety has ‘unclear triggers’ where the ‘starting’ point can be very difficult to identify. We won't 'grow' out of it, without help and support. 
• Schools can help with educational matters and being caring and compassionate. However, we are not thearpy. We cannot provide that kind of support. 
• Anxiety needs to be countered using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) – often requiring a counsellor who uses this approach. We can help direct towards this type of support. 
• Stick with the thearpy/medicine plan even when it sucks. It will get better. 
• Expect ‘self-soothing’ strategies to annoy you, remember it's not about us. It's about them. 
• We have to be and remain calm when they cannot be. 
• Others will be critical, this is not a quick fix. Stick with it. 
• Communication is key. Especially between the adults. Back and forth books. Emails. Assessments. No secrets. 
• Anxiety is very different in each person – don’t ignore it & don’t think there is ‘one’ plan.

Let's work together to support our students.

Please read the the entire blog post from Ian, found at:

http://technolandy.wordpress.com/2014/02/20/day-110-of-184-anxiety-107-a-blunt-approach-to-anxiety/