When anyone feels anxious, wrong, distressed, or angry it is essential that the people supporting them recognise that their feelings are valid and that we show genuine empathy at how they feel.
All too often when people are feeling anxious, they are told :
- Calm down
- It’s not that bad
- You will be fine
- Don’t overreact
- Stop stressing
- You were fine last time
- You will be fine when you get there
Being told these things does not help to reduce anxiety in anyway, and will simply leave the individual feeling completely invalidated and even more and safe and anxious.
Showing true empathy and validation, not only reduces anxiety, but can also build connections and trust which are so important to neurodivergent individuals.
🙌 Share the load
💕 Validate
🤲 Empathise
📕 Reference: The Educator’s Experience of Pathological Demand Avoidance: An Illustrated Guide to Pathological Demand Avoidance and Learning by Laura Kerbey and Illustrated by Eliza Fricker
