While anxiety is something that almost everyone has felt at one time or another in their lives, autistic children tend to feel it more often and more intensely than other people. And for children with autism, anxiety can be particularly debilitating.
Chad Youngquist knows this all too well. That’s why he and his son are working together to overcome Max’s fears.
Chad has a very hands-on approach when it comes to parenting. He knew that he had to figure out a way to help Max, who is autistic, cope with the crippling anxiety that was preventing him from trying new experiences and situations.
Max is harboring some very real fears.
Max’s list of fears includes storms, boats, flying, and sleeping alone in his room – things that most of us take for granted. His coping mechanism so far has been to avoid any situations that could frighten him.
But there was one problem.
The Youngquist family had planned a family cruise, and Chad knew that Max would have to finally face three out of four of his greatest fears.
So, in preparation for the big trip, Chad decided to think out of the box and try something a little unorthodox with Max.
To help autistic children overcome their anxiety, it is often helpful to “practice” situations that they find frightening or stressful.
Chad decided to try an exercise with Max. He filled their bathtub halfway with cold water, stripped down to his underwear, and got in.
After getting into the cold water himself, Chad instructs Max to get in with him. Max is visibly uncomfortable at the prospect of getting into a cold bath and refuses at first.
Chad stresses that, although the temperature of the bathwater was cold at around 53 to 55 degrees, it wasn’t cold enough to cause max any real harm.
In the YouTube video that’s amassed more than 3.5 million views, Chad talks Max through his fear.
“I’ve done this tons of times. And every time I do it, it’s hard to get in but then I get used to it. And when I get out, I feel a lot better,” Chad said.
But Max needed more convincing. Why was his dad making him do this?
Chad explained the logic behind the exercise.
“This exercise was to help him understand that he has the power to overcome mental obstacles and that he can talk himself through activities that are relatively safe, but scare him.”
Max was extremely uncomfortable, but that’s exactly what Chad wanted.
Max finally relents and begins to get in, but Chad has some instructions for him to follow.
“Before you get in the water, I want you to talk to yourself. I want you to say “it’s gonna be okay. Nothing bad is gonna happen to me. I have to overcome this fear,”” Chad says.
Max puts one foot in, and relief washes over him:
“Oh, it’s not that bad at all!”
Then Max gingerly lowers himself into the bathtub, with his dad motivating him and holding his hand the whole time.
Max talks himself through it:
“Hey, brain. This is gonna be really cold for a moment but it won’t last.”
Even though the entire exercise was uncomfortable for max, he succeeded. He got out of his comfort zone and worked through the discomfort. And the family cruise was a success as well!
“Whether or not this exercise had anything to do with it or not, Max did great on our trip,” Chad wrote.
To see Chad’s unconventional way of helping his son overcome his fears, watch the video below!
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