Dyslexia Support South: Where hope meets learning
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Anxiety

Anxiety happens to everyone and it is normal. However for children with learning differences and learning difficulties it happens more often for them, especially in certain circumstances such as at school, when having to read and write and some social situations.

Learning stress relates to anxiety and low self esteem.

In this section we consider anxiety and the impact it has on learning.

  • Why the brain goes “offline”
  • What we can do to get our brains back “online”
  • How to look out for situations that make our brain go “offline”

Why the brain goes “offline”

Anxiety and worry about learning can have a big impact on how children are ready for learning. When a person becomes anxious a chemical, cortisol, is released into the brain and we go into fight, flight or freeze mode. When we are like this the brain effectively “goes offline” and doesn’t go back “on line” until the chemical, cortisol, has reduced. Everyone can feel anxious however children with learning difficulties have a lot of anxiety around their learning.

They can worry about:

  • will I get the answer right if the teacher asks me?,
  • how will I go with the paired reading?,
  • can I write fast enough to keep up? or
  • will I understand the instructions from the teacher?

What we can do to get our brains back “online”

Parents can show the children how to firstly get their brain back on line and then manage the situations that normally take their brain off-line.

When a brain goes “offline” a person can help get it back on line by tummy breathing. Practice this to get it right – it’s when we breathe in through the nose and at the same time our tummy pushes out with the air coming in. This means we are breathing deeply. Other techniques include squeezing play dough, or blowing bubbles. The tummy breathing and play dough can be used quietly by the children in the classroom so no one needs notice – blowing bubbles not so much!

How to look out for situations that make our brain go “offline”

When we become anxious or worried about something, like

  • reading out loud,
  • getting started writing a story, or
  • giving a speech

we can do things to help reduce how much our brain goes offline.

When we get anxious usually there is a feeling in the body that helps us to know that our brain may go offline. These feelings are different for different people and can include:

  • Sweaty hands
  • Butterflies in the tummy
  • Needing to go to the toilet
  • Lump in the throat
  • Wanting to cry

Helping your children to be aware of these feelings will start to help them know when their brain may go offline. To help feel better they can do the tummy breathing, squeeze play dough or blow bubbles. We can also normalize the feelings and talk about what is happening “That cortisol has made your brain go off line – what can you do to get back on line?”.

Key differences between anxious and calm learners

This table adapted from Turula (2002) illustrates some key differences between anxious learners and calm learners.

​Written by Chris Cole, 9 May 2017

This information does not replace information from a qualified professional and if you are concerned about heightened anxiety in your child please see your doctor.

In this section

  • Understanding Learning Differences
    • Dyslexia
    • Dyscalculia
    • Dyspraxia
    • Dysgraphia
    • Visual stress
    • Auditory Processing Disorder
    • Processing Speed
      • Slow Processing Speed and Daily Life
      • Slow Processing Speed and Social Interactions
  • Interventions available in Southland
  • Assessment options in Southland and Otago
    • Dyslexia
    • Irlen Syndrome
  • School information
    • Assistive Technology
    • Structured Literacy Information
      • What is Structured Literacy?
      • Decodable Books
    • Choosing and transitioning to a new school
    • Special Assessment Conditions
      • Special Assessment Conditions for NCEA
      • Assessment tools in Primary Schools
    • Funding and scholarships
    • Who do I speak to at school?
    • Talking with your child’s school
    • Study tips
    • Home learning tips
  • Emotional impact
    • How parents can support their dyslexic child.
    • Anxiety
    • Low self esteem
    • Growth Mindset
    • Support agencies
    • Should I label my child dyslexic?
    • How can I help my child?
    • Strengths of Dyslexia
    • Increasing dyslexia awareness
    • Wellbeing support programmes
  • Resources
    • Books to read
      • Books for pre-teens and teens.
      • Books for parents
      • Books for children
      • Graphic Novels
    • Book Review. Congratulations - You have Dyslexia! Great Minds Think Differently.
    • The Value of Games
    • Tips for around the home
    • Ministry of Education dyslexia resource
    • Mind mapping
    • Working with dyslexic strengths
    • Be a ‘Strengths Detective’ - Learn how you can shine a light on your child’s dyslexic strengths to build self-awareness and resilience.
    • Executive Functioning
    • Dyslexia Friendly Invercargill City Library
    • Book review - Children Of The Rush Series - By James Russell.
  • Support in the Otago Region
  • Personal stories
    • Speech on Dyslexia by Milo Henry
    • A Mum’s Perspective
    • Diet and Nutrition for Learning & Behaviour - Our Experience
    • Why Advocating Makes a Difference.

Dyslexia Support South and Growing Stars are programmes run by Learning Differences Aotearoa Trust.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is designed to assist parents, caregivers and educators by providing helpful information on the topics represented. It does not replace information provided by a qualified professional. Parents, caregivers and educators are encouraged to do their own research on programmes mentioned. Dyslexia Support South does not endorse or support any particular product or business.

© Dyslexia Support South 2025

Website by RS

  • Home
  • Parent Toolkit
    • Understanding Learning Differences
      • Dyslexia
      • Dyscalculia
      • Dyspraxia
      • Dysgraphia
      • Visual stress
      • Auditory Processing Disorder
      • Processing Speed
        • Slow Processing Speed and Daily Life
        • Slow Processing Speed and Social Interactions
    • Interventions available in Southland
    • Assessment options in Southland and Otago
      • Dyslexia
      • Irlen Syndrome
    • School information
      • Assistive Technology
      • Structured Literacy Information
        • What is Structured Literacy?
        • Decodable Books
      • Choosing and transitioning to a new school
      • Special Assessment Conditions
        • Special Assessment Conditions for NCEA
        • Assessment tools in Primary Schools
      • Funding and scholarships
      • Who do I speak to at school?
      • Talking with your child’s school
      • Study tips
      • Home learning tips
    • Emotional impact
      • How parents can support their dyslexic child.
      • Anxiety
      • Low self esteem
      • Growth Mindset
      • Support agencies
      • Should I label my child dyslexic?
      • How can I help my child?
      • Strengths of Dyslexia
      • Increasing dyslexia awareness
      • Wellbeing support programmes
    • Resources
      • Books to read
        • Books for pre-teens and teens.
        • Books for parents
        • Books for children
        • Graphic Novels
      • Book Review. Congratulations - You have Dyslexia! Great Minds Think Differently.
      • The Value of Games
      • Tips for around the home
      • Ministry of Education dyslexia resource
      • Mind mapping
      • Working with dyslexic strengths
      • Be a ‘Strengths Detective’ - Learn how you can shine a light on your child’s dyslexic strengths to build self-awareness and resilience.
      • Executive Functioning
      • Dyslexia Friendly Invercargill City Library
      • Book review - Children Of The Rush Series - By James Russell.
    • Support in the Otago Region
    • Personal stories
      • Speech on Dyslexia by Milo Henry
      • A Mum’s Perspective
      • Diet and Nutrition for Learning & Behaviour - Our Experience
      • Why Advocating Makes a Difference.
  • School Toolkit
    • Catering for different types of learners
    • Creating a dyslexia-friendly classroom
      • Tips for the classroom
      • Dyslexia-friendly text and documents
      • Dyslexia-friendly teaching methods
        • 4D for schools
        • Universal Design for Learning
    • Specific learning difficulties and processing disorders
      • Dyslexia
      • Dyscalculia
      • Dysgraphia
      • Dyspraxia
      • Irlen Syndrome
      • Auditory Processing Disorder
        • Classroom accommodations for Auditory Processing Disorder
      • Slower processing abilities
    • Supporting SENCOs
    • Parent information evenings for your school community
    • Accommodations in the classroom
    • Decodable books
    • Information for teachers: Neil MacKay
    • Supporting home learning
    • Executive functioning in the classroom
    • NZQA National Qualifications for Specific Learning Differences
    • Dyslexia Friendly Guidelines for Effective Communication and Advertising.
    • Understanding Dyslexia - A Guide for Educators. Free Australian Resource
  • Adult Toolkit
    • Dyslexia Download Online Forum
      • Dyslexia Download 2025 Meetings dates
      • Notes from Dyslexia Download meetings
      • Sally Chesterfield - Dyslexia Download Facilitator
    • Resources
  • Teen Toolkit
    • Downloadable tip sheets
    • Parents supporting teens
  • Growing Stars
    • What Growing Stars covers
    • Our Facilitators
    • Growing Stars Community Workshops
    • Growing Stars in Schools
    • Growing Stars resources for sale
    • Community support
    • Support available from other agencies
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