"Helping Your Child Find Their Voice: A Parent’s Guide to Building Confidence, Communication, and Self-Advocacy"

 Managing Social Anxiety

1. “Calm Down Kit” for Transitions or Overwhelm
Create a small kit she can carry or access in class, with:

• Fidget toy or squishy ball
• Laminated “calm-down” visuals
• A small photo book of happy memories or favorite people
• Visual step-by-step breathing guide

2. Practice “Brave Talk” Scripts
Prepare short, easy-to-remember phrases for situations that cause anxiety:

• “Hi, my name is ____.”
• “Can I play with you?”
• “No, thank you.”
• “Can you help me, please?”
• “Can I go to the bathroom, please?”

How to Practice:
Role-play these during playtime, in front of a mirror, or with a trusted family member. Praise effort even if she just attempts the first word.

Vocalizing Needs

1. Use “I Need…” or “I Feel…” Sentence Starters
Place these on the wall, table, or on her AAC device.

Visual Prompt	Example Phrases
“I need…”	“I need help,” “I need a break,” “I need space”
“I feel…”	“I feel worried,” “I feel excited,” “I feel mad”

2. Communication Cards for When Speech Feels Too Hard
Make or print simple cards she can hand to an adult:

• “I need help.”
• “I need a break.”
• “I want to be alone.”
• “I don’t know what to do.”

3. Empower Her to Make Choices
Offer frequent, low-stakes choices to practice expressing preference:

• “Do you want to wear the red or blue shirt?”
• “Would you like to sit here or there?”
• “Do you want a hug or space?”

Even if she gestures or points at first, you can model the language:

“Oh, you picked the red shirt! You can say, ‘I want red.’”

Self-Advocacy Skills

1. Teach Her to Say “No” Respectfully
Children with anxiety often go along with things to avoid conflict. Practice ways to say “no” or set boundaries:

• “No, thank you.”
• “I don’t want to play that right now.”
• “That makes me uncomfortable.”

Use dolls, pretend play, or storybooks to practice this in a safe way.

2. Give Her a “Help Button”
This can be a literal laminated card or symbol she can hand to someone or tap on her AAC device when she needs support. 

3. Teach Her About Body Signals and Personal Space
Use a mirror or pictures to help her recognize when she feels overwhelmed (e.g., clenched fists, tight chest, needing to fidget) — then link those to self-advocacy:

“When your hands feel tight like that, it might mean you need a break. You can say, ‘I need a break.’”

Collaborating with School and Public Settings

1. Practice Scripts for Asking Adults for Help
Prepare and practice:

• “Can I talk to the teacher?”
• “I don’t understand.”
• “I need a break, please.”

2. Use Visual Schedules for New or Stressful Events
Before a birthday party, school event, or doctor visit, walk her through what will happen using visuals. Prepare “What can I do if I feel nervous?” strategies.

Book Recommendations (for Kids & Parents)

• For Kids:
• The Invisible String by Patrice Karst (for separation anxiety)
• What to Do When You Feel Too Shy by Claire A. B. Freeland
• Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival
• My Mouth Is a Volcano by Julia Cook (for turn-taking, self-control)
• For Parents:
• Helping Your Anxious Child by Ronald Rapee
• The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel