Practical Activities and difficulties with Managing Anxiety/Stress
Remember, disability is a highly individualised experience. People with the same disability may have very different capabilities and/or needs, so it is always best to discuss any adaptations to practice, the environment or equipment directly with the disabled person themselves rather than making assumptions about what adjustments may be suitable.
Anxiety and stress are fundamental human emotions. Some suggest that they are only noticeable when they occur in excess; however, many people adapt to very high levels of anxiety and stress.
Anxiety is normal and can be helpful in stressful situations. The burst of adrenaline and nerve impulses in response to stressful situations can help to prepare for fight or flight. However, anxiety is considered to be abnormal if it:
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is out of proportion to the stressful situation;
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persists when a stressful situation has gone, or the stress is minor;
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appears for no apparent reason when there is no stressful situation.
What causes one person stress might be someone else’s favourite activity (for example work placements), and the ways in which people find relief from stress varies just as much.
When teaching those who regularly become stressed, teachers should try to help them identify the specific elements of the practicals that cause the stress and anxiety, and if possible, modify the practical learning experience to minimise the stress. For example, for someone who has agoraphobia, instead of having to conduct a face to face survey in the town as part of a leisure and tourism course, it may be reasonable to arrange for them to conduct telephone surveys instead.
The important thing for teachers to remember is that stress is frequently experienced when someone does not feel in control of their situation or environment. By talking to the student and identifying what exactly causes this feeling, they can come to an agreement about what, realistically, would make the student feel more in control and more comfortable with their practical experience.
