KJ Eastwick
Slightly crazy writer and passionate educator for those who struggle
Teenage Anger – A case study
Teenage years are challenging with the coming of self awareness. This has a major impact on students who also have Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and results in increased manifestations of mental health issues and social isolation (Mazefsky & White, 2014).
Consider a student who is 15. Maibeth has ASC as well as diagnosed anxiety however she does not always take her medication for anxiety. Maibeth struggles with friends, initiating conversations and also uses very strongly maladaptive strategies for dealing with human interactions and the consequences of these. She has the following ASC characteristics.
| Characteristics | Looks Like | Sounds Like |
| Cognitive Inflexibility | Unable to accept other’s view points Shaking, picking at skin, tense muscles | “No, you’re wrong” “That’s stupid” “It never works” “Nothing helps” |
| Verbal Rage Melt downs | Shaking, picking at skin, tense muscles Intense pacing Unable to be still Have to get into an open space | Raised voice “That’s F***’d” “I hate life” “I hate you” “I hate everyone” |
| Impaired perspectives | Calm behavior | “I know what they are thinking” “That’s just wrong” “No – that would never happen” “Of course I get it – I’m not stupid” |
| Strong Perseverance | Weeks of similar behaviors over one incident | Repetition of incident including echolalia of same phrases |
As a function of Maibeth’s ASC and anxiety, Maibeth regularly melts down or has what is known as the “Rage” cycle. During her rage cycle, Maibeth is unable to use adaptive emotion regulation strategies such as re- framing or problem solving and will continue to focus on the incident long after her rage cycle has ended. Maibeth’s maladaptive strategies are listed below.
| Maladaptive Strategies | Looks like | |
| Internalizing | Shutdowns Anger Rumination Fixation | Muttering Glaring Picking at skin No eye contact Self imposed isolation |
| Self Hate | Suicidal statements non persistent self harm | “I want to kill myself” Horizontal scrapping of plastic knives on arm Drinking alcohol Running away |
| Social Anhedonia (avoidance) | limited friendships limited interests in peers preference to be alone | Only speaks/interacts with one peer at a time. Will not attend any gathering larger than 25 students. Sits by self in class. Does not get invitations to social events. |
Maibeth presents has having 2 major current areas of concern being her social interaction and her emotional dysregulation. Whilst both areas need to be addressed – the use of maladaptive strategies in stressful situations will be focused on initially.
Interventions
