Mental health has declined among U.S. children and adolescents over the past few years. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, studies have shown that anxiety rates in adolescents are steadily rising. Specifically, the prevalence of social anxiety disorder has skyrocketed–according to the National Institute of Mental Health, social anxiety disorder now affects over nine percent of adolescents.
Unfortunately, when left untreated, social anxiety disorder symptoms can negatively affect many aspects of students’ lives: academic performance, emotional and mental health, social interactions, and future professional opportunities.
To avoid the consequences of unaddressed social anxiety disorder symptoms, educational therapists and teachers must provide classroom accommodations and support for students to succeed and thrive academically.
What Is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Students with social anxiety disorder are characterized by an extreme and perpetual fear of social and performance-based situations, such as speaking in front of a class of students, eating in the presence of peers, or raising a hand to answer questions. Socially anxious children worry excessively about doing something embarrassing and become highly anxious when observed or evaluated by others.
Because of the severity of their symptoms, students with social anxiety disorder often skip class, choose not to participate in group assignments, and withdraw socially during class discussions or debates. As a result, their grades and performance reviews might suffer, damaging self-esteem and confidence.
However, one advantage of educating students with this anxiety disorder during the pandemic is the benefits of online learning. Students can learn at their own pace with recorded video lessons and thrive in a virtual setting–free of social drama and distractions. Rather than getting inundated with stressful interactions with educators and other students, students can learn in the privacy and solitude of their homes.
What Are Social Anxiety Disorder Symptoms?
How Can Educators Support Students With Social Anxiety Disorder?
Fortunately, educational therapists and school professionals can intervene to provide students with social anxiety disorder treatment through pediatric therapy services. In this article, we’ve compiled six expert strategies that educators can use to support children with social anxiety disorder to help them flourish both inside and outside the classroom.
1. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness can be a valuable tool in helping children manage their social anxiety disorder symptoms. Through guided meditation, children can learn to grow more aware of their emotions and thoughts without responding to them. Instruct children to breathe deeply by inhaling a few slow breaths through their noses and exhaling through their mouths.
Students can also try a technique called Progressive Muscle Relaxation, in which a child tenses up particular muscles and then relaxes them. Encourage students to practice these mindfulness skills throughout the school day, especially if they start feeling social anxiety disorder symptoms.
2. Create a Safe Space
Students experience various feelings throughout the day, so they will benefit from having a “safe space” at school or in the classroom. A safe space is a cozy place where children can calm themselves down, take a moment to be alone, and recharge emotionally before returning to class.
Students with social anxiety disorder symptoms can benefit from having a place to go if they feel overwhelmed with fear and other emotions. Safe spaces allow them to practice self-regulation skills in a private area and relax enough to continue learning.
3. Use Exposure and Desensitization
Because avoiding social situations only exacerbates social anxiety disorder, ask students to resist the impulse to leave when they start feeling overwhelmed. Instead, use exposure to warmly encourage them to face–rather than run away from–settings and situations that may induce fear or panic.
Remind children of coping skills and strategies to help them confront their anxiety, promoting autonomy and self-confidence. However, don’t allow students to go home, as taking a short break or even sitting on the sidelines is better than leaving entirely.
4. Give Rewards
Classroom participation can be especially difficult for students with social anxiety disorder. One way to incentivize students to participate is by creating a classroom reward system. Rewards motivate students to participate in class discussions and activities. To earn more valuable prizes, encourage students to engage in more courageous behavior, such as giving a presentation in front of the class or leading a group activity. Examples of rewards are:
- A homework pass
- The chance to eat lunch with the teacher
- Five extra minutes of gym class
- Early dismissal for lunch or recess
- Screen time with a computer or iPad
5. Enforce Zero-Tolerance Rules
Enact a zero-policy rule for bullying and discrimination in the learning environment. The teacher must create a safe environment where all students can collaborate and learn without the fear of harassment. Students who violate this rule are a deterrent to other students’ learning. To prevent classroom bullying, implement severe consequences for students who humiliate or abuse other students.
6. Assign a Classroom Buddy
Allowing children to choose their partners for classroom activities can cause some students to feel left out. To curtail their apprehension, pair the socially anxious child with an outgoing classmate to provide support and field questions during classroom activities. Also, the buddy system can make social situations less frightening, so try to carpool with a friendly student. Then, the socially anxious child can walk into the classroom or event with a friend rather than alone.
Prepare Students For Success With Therapy Source
We can’t overstate the importance of pediatric therapy services from qualified educational therapists to help socially anxious students excel academically. At Therapy Source, we are committed to providing the highest level of support to the students we serve.
Our dedicated school psychologists, teachers, and educational therapists prepare children for success every day at school-based positions across the nation. To learn more about working with us or our organization, visit txsource.com/school-based-therapy-jobs today.
Educators and therapists, which strategies have you used to help socially anxious students participate in class? Let us know in the comments below!
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