Anxiety Resources - Family Guide

Children with developmental and intellectual disabilities are at increased risk for anxiety disorders. This may be due to social stigma related to your child’s disability, or anxiety about day-to-day functioning.  

Caregivers are important in identifying signs of anxiety. They may be asked by their pediatrician to identify how the child reacts to different situations and to complete a screening questionnaire. Questions may ask the frequency of things like: 

• Does your child get stomachaches at school? 
• When your child is scared, is it hard for them to breath? 
• Does your child have nightmares?  

If your child is identified as having anxiety symptoms or an anxiety disorder, this provides an opportunity for you to get your child the help that the need, often through a referral to a licensed clinical social worker or other mental health professional.  There are also many ways that caregivers can support their child day-to-day in managing anxiety. A number of tips and tools are included in the resources below.  

This resource was made possible through the generous support of AAP donors to the Friends of Children Fund.