Anxiety Disorders amongst children is common but often misunderstood. As a parent, it can be tough to see your child struggle with worry or fear. Their worries can surround topics like school, social situations, or bedtime. Thankfully, there are ways to help—one being the SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) approach, as outlined below.
What is Anxiety in Children?
Prior to diagnosis or treatment of anxiety as a disorder, we need to understand what anxiety is. Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress and can be helpful in some cases. But when it becomes excessive and overwhelming, it can interfere with your child’s life. Anxiety in children may look like: constant worry, physical symptoms, avoiding activities or situations, and emotional outbursts.
What is the SPACE Approach?
One approach to treatment of childhood anxiety disorders is SPACE. SPACE is a program designed to help parents support anxious children. Developed at Yale, it focuses on parents, teaching them strategies to help their child cope without requiring the child to be part of therapy. The idea is to change how parents respond to their child’s anxiety, reducing behaviors that may unintentionally support the anxiety, thereby reducing the child's anxiety symptoms over time.
How Can Parents Help their Child Through SPACE?
The main goal of SPACE is for parents to reduce their "accommodations" around their child's anxiety while still being supportive. Here's how:
First we need to understand the child’s triggers and identify what leads to the child’s anxiety.
Next, the parent practices reducing accommodations; with the therapist's help, the parent identifies parental accommodations and systematically reduces accommodating behaviors. This encourages them to face their anxiety, even if it’s uncomfortable.
Lastly, the parents increase emotional support through offering supportive statements, such as, "I know this may be hard, and I believe you can handle it."
Anxiety can be uncomfortable and challenging, but with the right approach, it can be managed. SPACE helps parents guide their children through anxiety with support and empathy, helping them to face their fears and build confidence. Remember, you’re not alone, and with your therapist's guidance, your parental support can make a big difference in helping your child thrive.