Stress is part of life
Stress is a naturally occurring physical reaction and it is a part of everyday life. We all experience it from time to time. Not all stress is bad.
Individuals vary in the way they experience, react to and cope with stress. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other disabilities may find it much harder to deal with stress. Stress is not 100 percent avoidable, however, there are things we can do to better understand and manage stress.
Causes of stress
There have been many studies conducted on stress and the long-term effects to adult health and overall well-being. Stress can be a brief reaction to an everyday situation such as being stuck in traffic, or it could be a long-term reaction to a major life event such as the death of a loved one.
Examples of everyday stressors
- Misplacing or losing things
- Troubling thoughts about your future
- Financial problems
- Arguments
- Having to wait/not enough time
- Too many responsibilities
Examples of major life events
- Death of a spouse or close family member
- Divorce/separation
- Marital separation
- Personal injury or illness
- Job loss
Causes of stress for people with ASD
Causes of stress can look different for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and other disabilities.
- Unstructured time (waiting in line, down time between tasks)
- Understanding what to do and how to do it
- Changes in plans/routines
- Sensory issues
- Crowds
- Noise
- Smells
- Bathing
- Clothing
- Social situations
Manage stress
- Get ahead of known stressors
- If someone has difficulty waiting in line they could have something to keep them busy while they wait
- If someone is stressed about change, explain by using visual supports such as updated tasks lists, calendars or sticky notes
- Practice slow breathing techniques
- Practice mindfulness
- Mindfullness is a skill. “It is about being right here, right now. Not getting bogged down with your own feelings, your own emotions, and not being so in your head that you can’t see what’s going on around you. So it’s the state of being present, the state of being aware.” (Maria Gonzalez, author of Mindful Leadership)
- Use stress management apps
- View a general list of apps for stress management
- Learn about these free apps
- Read more about stress management
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