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Book review: Overcoming Anxiety in Children and Teens by Dr. Jed Baker

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Jed_Baker_-_Overcoming_Anxiety_FINALOvercoming Anxiety in Children and Teens by Dr. Jed Baker stands out from other books written about anxiety in children. It is similar in that it presents many of the same strategies for dealing with anxiety, such as gradual exposure, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and relaxation but it differs in that the author is focused on helping the reader “win over” kids and teens. Dr. Baker provides specific wording, language and scripts that are more likely to motivate a child to engage in the process of learning to manage their own anxiety. Strategies are great but if a child does not buy into them, they will have very little impact on creating change.

Dr. Jed Baker addresses a long list of fears and phobias – reserving one chapter for each, including selective mutism, school refusal, panic disorder, perfectionism, and more. The author even has a chapter that addresses ways to adapt treatment for children on the autism spectrum that are not very verbal.

The case studies presented to discuss each fear or phobia, provide great real life examples of fear-based situations and serve as evidence indicators that overcoming any of these anxieties is possible.

This book is very parent-friendly because the information is very specific, practical and easy to implement. I work with parents on a daily basis and many are not aware of the power they have to create change in their child’s lives. In this very user-friendly book, Dr Baker empowers parents to do what they can to help their child overcome their anxiety rather then always look to an expert to intervene.

Whether or not a child sees someone professionally or not, once these approaches are repeated and reinforced enough by a parent, empowerment is easily transferred to the child so they can take charge of their own anxiety – the ultimate goal.

This book is a great addition to Dr. Baker’s six other books – Social Skills Training for Children and Adolescents with Aspergers Syndrome and Social Communication ProblemsPreparing for Life: The Complete Handbook for the Transition to Adulthood for Those with Autism and Aspergers SyndromeThe Social Skills Picture BookThe Social Skills Picture Book for High School and Beyond; No More Meltdowns: Positive Strategies for Managing and Preventing Out-of-Control Behavior (including a user-friendly app); and No More Victims: Protecting those with Autism from Cyber Bullying, Internet Predators, and Scams.

To get your copy of Dr. Jed Baker’s wonderful new book at a discounted rate, simply click here to get to the Future Horizons website. Then use my code PARENTCOACH in the coupon code box when checking out to receive your 15% discount and enjoy!

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