Example of a Plan of Action Related to Sound Sensitivity
As we told you earlier, George’s fear of public bathrooms is an example of a fear that has overlap between anxiety and sound sensitivity. He is worried about germs, but he is also anxious about going into public restrooms because of how loud hand-dryers and flushing toilets are.
Here is an example of a plan of action that George could use to tackle his fear of public restrooms. (PDF version)
- What anxiety or fear is this plan of action for: Fear of sensory overstimulation in public restrooms
- What is your goal: Be able to use the public restroom at school
| Exposure Activity | Anxiety level (0-10) |
|---|---|
| In the bathroom at home, listen to the audio of a toilet flushing or a hand dryer turning on | 2 |
| Listen to the sound of toilet flushing in the bathroom at home | 3 |
| Go inside a single person public restroom and stay there fore 5 minutes (Don’t have to use the restroom) | 4 |
| Wearing noise cancelling headphones, go inside a single person public restroom and wash/dry my hands with the dryer | 5 |
| Wearing noise cancelling headphones, use a single person public restroom, flush, and wash/dry my hands with the dryer | 6 |
| Wearing noise cancelling headphones, go inside a public restroom without automatic hand dryers and stay for 5 minutes (Don’t have to use the restroom) | 7 |
| Wearing noise cancelling headphones, go inside a public restroom with automatic hand dryers and stay for 5 minutes | 8 |
| Wearing noise cancelling headphones, go inside a public restroom and wash/dry my hands with the dryer | 9 |
| Goal Activity: Wearing noise cancelling headphones, use a public restroom, flush, and wash/dry my hands with the dryer | 10 |
Note: George could repeat the first step at increasing volumes if it gets too difficult for him to move to the next step. For the third and fourth step, he could first do this with his dad and then independently; he could also add headphones here if needed.
George’s overall goal is to use a public restroom that has multiple stalls when other people are also using the restroom while wearing his noise cancelling headphones. Step 9, the last step, does not quite represent him meeting his goals, so after completing the above steps, he plans to repeat steps 6-9 in a larger public restroom. He also plans on not using the same restroom every time so he knows he will be better at using all public restrooms, not just certain ones.
Example Plan of Action Related to Routines
Now let’s take a look at Sophia! As we said before, Sophia’s fear of change can be related to both anxiety and autism. She doesn't like it when her schedule suddenly changes or when she has to do something she did not expect to, which causes her to feel really anxious.
Let’s take a look at how Sophia’s family helped her overcome her fear (PDF version).
- What anxiety or fear is this plan of action for: Fear of routine changes
- What is your goal: Be comfortable (anxiety intensity level < 2) with detours, delays, and stops on my way home after school
| Exposure Activity | Anxiety level (0-10) |
|---|---|
| With mom’s early notice in the morning, we make a stop at somewhere I like on our way home after school. | 2 |
| With mom’s early notice in the morning, we take a different route home after school. | 3 |
| With mom’s early notice in the morning, we make a stop at somewhere I like on our way home after school. But this time, mom keeps the destination a secret. | 4 |
| With mom’s early notice in the morning, I run an errand with mom on our way home after school. | 5 |
| With mom’s early notice, mom picks me up 10 minutes later than usual. | 6 |
| Without notice, we make a stop at somewhere I like on our way home after school. | 7 |
| Without notice, we take a different route home after school. | 8 |
| Without notice, mom picks me up 10 minutes later than usual. | 9 |
| Goal Activity: Without notice, run errands with mom or make an unplanned stop on my way home after school | 10 |
Your turn to practice
Take some time to discuss and see whether both of you think you need a new plan of action for an anxiety that is related to these traits of autism.
If so, use the My Plan of Action Worksheet to make a new plan of action. Remember, it is very important to discuss with your parent to make sure that you are both on the same page!
