Stacey Betts, co-authour of Yoga For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders and mother of two children with autism, is our special guest for this episode. Join us as we discuss how yoga can benefit children with autism, ways to make the practice of yoga accessible, and much more. If you have a child with autism or work with children with autism you’ll definitely want to tune in and learn how yoga can make a difference today.

Original air date: April 26/2010

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Stacey Betts shares her own personal story of raising two children with Aspergers and PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder). She talks about how yoga addresses the physcial and emotional issues typical of Autism Spectrum Disorders such as poor muscle tone, digestive issues, balance, anxiety and depression. As well, Stacey addresses the need for parents and caregivers to build a suport network and to take care of themselves. Finally she stresses the need to approach yoga for children and teens with autism in a flexible manner, being prepared to adapt the practice to the needs of each individual. You’ll enjoy Stacey’s candid and frank manner and her helpful hints on living with autism.

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Sensory games are a fun way to improve a child’s ability to move the body as a whole and to integrate the senses. They are an enjoyable way to teach necessary social skills like teamwork, turn taking and verbal/non-verbal communication. Ball Pass also develops core and leg strength, balance, and co-ordination. This game is adaptive for children with autism, dyslexia and other SPD’s, as well as children who are considered “neurotypical”. All children enjoy this game and like the challenge of using only their feet.

Ball Pass

You will need a rubber spikey ball, beach ball, basketball-sized Nerf ball, or other soft ball that the feet can grasp.

Have everyone sit in a circle.

Pass the ball from person to person using only your feet! The person receiving the ball has to “catch” it with their feet, and so on around the circle.

Young children and children with adaptive needs may have poor muscle tone and have difficulty with this task. They can play by rolling the ball with their feet to the next person. The idea is to build core & leg strength rather than to pass and catch perfectly.

Encourage the children by saying “Just do your best! Lets have fun!”

Older children can play by “throwing” and “catching” (with feet) to anyone within the circle.

Expand the game (for children 6 and up) by pairing auditory processing with the movement much like musical chairs: play music while the ball is being passed. Randomly stop the music, and when the music stops, everyone has to “freeze” including the person with the ball. Music starts, play continues.

Increase difficulty and sensory processing by adding a second ball, possibly of a different size, weight, colour and texture, to be passed around the circle.

The game is over when time is up or children start getting distratcted.

Thanks to Bodylogique a creative and adaptive yoga program which encourages children and families to stay healthy and have fun.

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Guest post by Rachel Greb

In recent years Autism has become a much more commonly heard word. The number of children and adults diagnosed has been on the rise and continues to rise each year.

What is Autism

Autism is a Spectrum Disorder, meaning that it is a group of disorders with different features from mild to severe. People with Autism have difficulties with social interaction and communication, cognitive levels vary form very low to genius. Autism can usually first be seen before the age of three and creates delays in all aspects of an individual’s daily life.

Some things that may be present in chilren with Autism include:

• problems in social situations
• issues with sleep
• tantrums
• hyperactivity
• repetitive behavior
• language delays or echolalia (echoing what another person said)

These symptoms can create low self-esteem and low self worth.

Yoga for Autism

With the diagnosis of Autism being on the rise it is very important that we find, research and implement techniques to help these children in their daily lives.  Yoga, including asana (postures)and pranayama (breathing techniques), is a technique that can greatly benefit a child with Autism throughout their entire life. 

Yoga can teach a child to breath and gain back some control over their behavior, helping with self-esteem and self-worth. Breathing skill are wonderful to learn for when children with Autism are anxious in social situations or starting to feel angry.  Yoga can help with balance and focus which can help with concentration and attention and increase cognitive skills. Transitions times are often difficult for a child with Autism and this is a great time to implement yoga and breathing skills. Teaching a child relaxation and how to quiet their minds can help with sleep, stress and an overall feeling of well-being.

When teaching a child with Autism we must first remember that every child is unique and an individual. We need to be sure that when we begin teaching yoga to children with Autism to create a safe space where they are able to explore, and work out a pace that they feel comfortable with.  A teacher may also want to create a ‘peace zone’ or ‘yoga area’  in which children can go and practice yoga or pranayama when needed. 

Sensory issues can also be problematic. Teachers will want to be sure not to over stimulate the child as this can create an outburst. The room should have low lights and not too much on the walls and floors. You need to take the time to get to know each student and if there are other physical disabilities or specific sensory issues. Visual aides are key, as is using short sentences that thoroughly explain directions. Modeling is also a wonderful technique. Steer clear of metaphors as this can be very confusing to a child with Autism because they are usually very literal thinkers.

Often you will come across a pose or breathing technique that a child does not want to do at that time. When this occurs “first, then statements” are very helpful. For example, “First yoga, then you can play blocks.” Come in with a plan but be flexible. Do not forget to make it a fun, non-competitive experience.

Yoga is something that can be done by everyone and is a gift that once it is open can be used throughout a person’s life.

Rachel Greb, YogaSprouts’ owner and founder, completed her undergraduate studies at Tulane University and was awarded a Master of Arts from Piedmont College specializing in educating children with emotional and behavioral disorders such as Autism. During her studies, she came upon the excellent therapeutic benefits of yoga and consequently, became certified in children’s yoga. Since then, she has and continues to study yoga under renowned yoga instructors in several training programs. YogaSprouts’ mission is to help all children and young adults achieve their highest potential and experience enduring health and happiness. For information about Rachel Greb and YogaSprouts please visit www.yogasprouts.com

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Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) will benefit from yoga since it addresses both the physical and emotional symptoms of the disorder.

The typical gross motor delay, low muscle tone and impaired coordination of ASD often result in low self-esteem and lack of confidence which can extend to other areas of life. Yoga is an appropriate and enjoyable physical program which improves strength and tone in the muscles, develops balance, and increases body awareness. Even fine motor skills will be improved as yoga emphasizes being in tune with the entire body, hands and fingers, feet and toes.

Children with ASD may also suffer from sensory issues including sensitivity to light, noise, taste, texture, or smell. Furthermore, they may repeat movements that seem uncontrollable (stim behaviours). Yoga can help with these symptoms by soothing the nervous system and allowing pent-up energy to be released from the body in a non-competitive, peaceful manner. 

The breathing techniques and guided visualization exercises also assist by reducing stress, teaching coping techniques, and providing a sense of calm and acceptance. Once a child has learned some of these exercises they can use them anytime, anywhere.

When teaching yoga, take things slowly, introducing poses incrementally as comfort levels allow. Work on basic poses (Mountain, Tree, Cat, Warrior, etc.) and breathing exercises. Build one pose at a time, gradually adding more options.

To create visual stimulation and connections, line up stuffed animals or pictures of animals at the front of the room. Follow the line of animals, doing the pose for each in turn, creating an effective pattern. A similar exercise is to place the stuffed animals or pictures in a pile and have them picked at random, doing the corresponding pose each time.

Music is also a powerful tool for children with ASD because it provokes engagement and interest. Drumming, chanting, singing and moving to music are effective ways to engage individuals and helps to stimulate the emotional center of the brain.

A fantastic resource for teachers or parents wanting to use yoga for children with ASD is Yoga For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder by Dion E. Betts. For further information regarding Autism Spectrum Disorders, visit the Autism Society of Canada or Autism Today, which has over 2,500 articles and many resources.

Watch for more articles on this important topic with expert in yoga for children with autism Rachel Greb of Yoga Sprouts. Subscribe through RSS or e-mail today so as not to miss a single one.

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