Easy Read guide to anxiety management for adults with learning disabilities and autism

For many people, life has changed a lot because of COVID-19 and now, more than ever, we all need to look after our Mental Health.

This guide is suitable for adult’s with Learning Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders (including Asperger’s).

Anxiety can make you think and feel different things.

This can stop you doing things you would normally do.

Have a fast heartbeat.

Breathe faster.

Feel butterflies in your tummy or feel sick.

Have trouble sleeping.

Feel moody.

Feel sad.

Lots of things can make you feel anxious.

Sometimes, you may not know why you are feeling anxious.

Breathing Exercises

Ways of changing your breathing to help you feel calm.

Grounding with your senses

Using sight, touch, noise, smell and taste to focus on things around you.

Guided Visualisation

Which can help you imagine that you are somewhere else.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

An activity that reduces stress in your body by tensing and relaxing your muscles.

In the guide, you might notice that some of the activities are shorter than you would expect. This is done for a reason – I want them to be accessible for people who may not be able to concentrate for a long period of time or follow a large number of instructions.

Some of the activities will require support from another person, and they can be adapted to suit the person using them.

For the other activities, someone with a mild Learning Disability should be able to follow and complete them independently.

Remember, the activities might not work for everyone.

It is important to find out what helps you manage your anxiety.

I hope you find this guide useful.