Anxiety

As a parent, watching your child struggle with anxiety can be heartbreaking and frustrating. Fortunately, long-lasting relief from anxiety symptoms is within reach at Yulene Developmental Consulting in Sugar Land, Texas, where certified pediatric occupational therapist Yulene Broussard, MS, OTR/L, practices multiple evidence-based, family-centered strategies to help children overcome anxiety. Call or schedule an appointment online today to learn more.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is an emotion everybody experiences that can spark worry, fear, or apprehension. It’s helpful during stressful or dangerous situations in preparing the mind and body to protect itself. However, while anxiety is normal, it can interfere with your child’s everyday life if excessive. 

Constant worry or dread can lead to physical, mental, and emotional symptoms affecting your child’s thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. With a personalized approach to care, experienced pediatric occupational therapist Yulene works one-on-one with your child to address the underlying causes of anxiety and develop effective coping strategies.

What are the signs of anxiety in children?

Anxiety can manifest in various ways in children, with the signs differing from one child to another. Common anxiety signs in children include:

• Excessive worry or fear
• Separation anxiety
• Irritability and agitation
• Tantrums
• Difficulty sleeping or having nightmares
• Avoiding social situations
• Restlessness
• Stomachaches or muscle tension

With extensive experience treating anxiety, Yulene tailors your child’s therapy to meet their unique needs and address their anxiety symptoms.

What triggers anxiety in children?

Many things can trigger anxiety in children, such as:

• Transitions (parents divorcing, moving, starting a new school, etc.)
• Social situations, like making new friends or public speaking
• Academic pressure, including homework and exams
• Trauma
• Family conflict

Many children also experience anxiety from specific fears or phobias, like spiders, the dark, or heights.

What are the most effective strategies to manage pediatric anxiety?

Yulene Developmental Consulting offers strategies to manage pediatric anxiety, including:

Safe & Sound Protocol

This auditory-based therapy reduces anxiety and improves social communication by regulating the autonomic nervous system.

DIRFloortime®

DIRFloortime is a child-led play approach that promotes emotional regulation and social engagement to reduce anxiety.

Sensory integration and sensory process approaches 

These therapies help improve your child's ability to process sensory information, reducing sensory overload and anxiety.

Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI)

MNRI is a reflex integration approach that releases protective reflexes that can contribute to anxiety and activate neural pathways for improved motor and cognitive skills.

Rhythmic movement training

Rhythmic movement training strives to improve coordination, balance, and body awareness to reduce anxiety.

Parent coaching

Yulene offers strategies to help parents manage their child's anxiety effectively, develop communication skills, and promote positive behavior.

Yulene Developmental Consulting leverages unmatched expertise with evidence-based coping strategies to help children and their families navigate the complexities of anxiety. Schedule an appointment online or call today to learn more.