Excerpt: Desensitization or acclimatization is a way to make Ernest less sensitive or anxious about his surroundings or issues over time.

When Ernest was around the age of 12 he would stay in the family van and refuse to step outside the vehicle when we arrived at the parking lot of the sports complex. he was afraid of the water. He was water-phobic. This is what I did: I put a light, easy-to-fold plastic sitting stool outside the family van and tried to get him to sit on it. Initially, he refused to get out of the vehicle, let alone sit on the stool. What could lure him out? Food, I guessed. So, I tried to entice him with food. Who would say no, to food? He got out of the vehicle and sat firmly on the stool without moving. As the days went by, Ernest became more and more comfortable sitting on the stool. Each day, the stool was moved closer and closer to the sports complex/swimming pool with less and less food. As the days went by, Ernest was getting closer and closer to the sports complex and eventually just sitting by the pool area. He was always changed into his bathing suit, I stayed with him for weeks as he sat on the stool, watching people playing in the water. Finally, with much encouragement, coaxing and a little pressure, he eventually tried. First the toes were resting in the water for a few days, then the legs joined them. Eventually, he was Completely in the water! The rest is history.

We hope this experience can help you to apply in your needed circumstances. For the full chapter on this topic, click here