Positive Strategies To Support Individuals With Autism: Fill & Download for Free

Here I give the benefits of yoga those on autism spectrum and to know more visit this article.Yoga in America Study conducted by Yoga Alliance and Yoga Journal, the number of American yoga practitioners has risen to over 36 million. That includes an increase of more than 15 million in just the preceding four years. In addition to the increased popularity of yoga overall, numerous research studies in recent years have indicated that yoga might have benefit for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which has generated a growing interest in yoga as a complementary therapy for these individuals.In 2014, the CDC reported that 1 in 68 children were being diagnosed with some form of ASD. While the studies show that yoga can benefit both kids and adults with ASD, this article will focus specifically on the benefits for adults.Tell us where to send your free Yoga for Health Guide. Enter your email address below:We'll never share your info. Spam just isn't yogic.Autism Spectrum Disorder is comprised of a number of developmental disorders that exhibit a wide spectrum of symptoms and challenges. Individuals with ASD often face heightened levels of anxiety, sensitivity to the environment around them (resulting from sensory integration issues), challenges with communication and social relationships, and difficulty with self-regulation. In many cases, people with autism also struggle with motor coordination, body awareness, focus and concentration, and common physical ailments such as chronic pain and fatigue, digestive conditions, and autoimmune issues.Along with these common challenges associated with ASD, many with autism face additional challenges related to the disorder. A recent CDC study documented a 32 percent rate of obesity among adolescents with autism. Health issues related to obesity can include asthma and headaches, bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.And, according to Dr. Robert Fortuna, professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center, as individuals with autism mature into adulthood they often have less access to healthcare services, which means that health issues will often go untreated.The Benefits of YogaWhen presented in a way that is safe and accessible, yoga can offer tremendous benefits to adults with ASD. Because lack of body awareness and struggle with motor coordination and gross motor skills are common in people with ASD, yoga can be an effective tool for reconnecting them to their bodies—supporting balance, coordination, bilateral movement, and strengthening of gross motor development. In addition, yoga can also add to their strength, flexibility, and muscle endurance.Emotional BenefitsAlong with the physical benefits, yoga can also be of great emotional benefit for those living with ASD. Harvard Health conducted several studies that attributed a reduction in both anxiety and depression to the practice of yoga. Yoga has also been shown to be a particular support in reducing anxiety related to obsessive compulsive disorder, which afflicts many individuals with ASD.In my private sessions with adults with ASD, I’ve seen that specific poses and breathing strategies can help them release difficult or uncomfortable emotions (which can, if unexpressed, contribute to anxiety, depression, and agitated mood and behavior). Abdominal or “belly breathing” has been a particularly helpful breathing strategy for my students with ASD. I have also found using visualization very effective for helping them let go of difficult emotions with the exhalation and through movement, such as “tossing the emotion away” or “releasing the emotion” with the hands. If accessible, encouraging the student to extend the exhale—what I refer to as 2–4 breath—is a helpful breathing strategy for reducing anxiety.Irregular sleep, a common challenge for individuals with ASD, can also contribute to increased anxiety, depression, and general agitation. But recent research has suggested that a consistent practice of yoga can improve sleep patterns among those suffering from chronic insomnia.The Immune SystemImmune dysfunction and autoimmune conditions are often found to coexist with ASD. Immune dysfunction can impact digestion, respiration, and allergic response, which are all areas of concern in individuals with ASD.Yoga can help this as well, with studies indicating that a regular yoga practice can strengthen the immune system overall.Sensory ProcessingA common challenge for people with autism is heightened sensitivity to their environment, as well as difficulty with sensory processing. Occupational therapist and neuroscientist A. Jean Ayres, PhD, explains in her book, Sensory Integration and the Child, that “sensory processing” refers to the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and converts them into appropriate motor and behavioral responses. These senses include the five senses as well as the two “hidden senses”: the proprioceptive and vestibular systems. The vestibular system governs movement and balance, with common indicators of vestibular dysfunction including difficulty with attention, bilateral coordination challenges, poor core muscle strength, poor postural control, emotional insecurity/dysregulation, difficulty following instructions/directions, and gravitational insecurity.The proprioceptive system is our “body awareness” sense, which includes spatial awareness, and awareness and control of our body parts and movements. Proprioceptive dysfunction can include poor motor planning, poor posture, weak muscles, poor endurance, difficulty following motor actions, poor dynamic balance, difficulty judging force or distance, and frequently seeking out proprioceptive/deep pressure feedback (which can create behaviors such as stomping feet, banging into walls or other objects or people in the environment, chewing clothing, pinching/hitting oneself or others, and seeking out bear hugs or deep pressure on the body).The sensory processing challenges for those with ASD is directly correlated with the ability to self-regulate. According to Smith and Gouze in their book, The Sensory Sensitive Child, self-regulation helps us to monitor and control our own behavior, emotions, or thoughts, altering them in accordance with the demands of the situation. Because the physical poses in yoga support bilateral coordination, balance, strengthening weak muscles, motor coordination, attention, postural control, body awareness, motor planning, core strength and stability, and modulation of body movements—all areas of challenge for children and adults with sensory integration or sensory processing difficulties—the yoga postures, as well as breathing exercises, are helpful in supporting sensory integration.It has been my experience that when people with ASD are better able to self-regulate, it can greatly strengthen their ability to interact with others in a positive and connected way. Physical poses and specific breathing strategies that provide opportunities to release difficult emotions or built-up energy in the body can support communication and expression of emotions and can lead to greater social/emotional regulation. For example, a popular breathing strategy I teach my students is “Let It Go Breath,” which involves identifying an emotion or worry, and then using breath and movement to let the worry go.The ability to self-regulate leads to social skills such as understanding personal boundaries, working through conflict with peers, perspective taking, and reciprocal communication with others.The Benefits of Restorative YogaIt is my experience that restorative yoga, in particular, can be quite beneficial for people with ASD. This is likely due to the grounding it provides, the opportunities for deep pressure touch (which offers proprioceptive feedback), and the stimulation of the vagus nerve (with its calming effect on the nervous system). Restorative yoga offers props and supports that allow a person to let go.Many adults with autism have trouble understanding what it means or feels like to experience calm. Heightened levels of anxiety related to the challenges of ASD often keep them in a constant state of “fight, flight, or freeze.” This constant state of anxiety can over-excite the sympathetic branch of the nervous system, which increases cortisol levels, impedes respiration, and impacts proper functioning of the brain and body. When the nervous system is given the proper environment and supports to relax, the parasympathetic nervous system is stimulated, which has a “rest and reset” or “rest and digest” effect. This opportunity for the nervous system to reset helps rewire the brain, and it changes the patterns of stress response.One student of mine, a 26-year-old woman with autism, has been coming to yoga with her mom once a week for the past two years. She does a one-hour restorative yoga sequence in a private session, and a selection of yoga poses for her home practice. Recently she was able to forgo anesthesia for an MRI, instead practicing “sleepy butterfly” pose and “balloon belly” breathing during the test. This was a huge victory for her and for her family. The small things for “typical” individuals and their families often become big things for individuals with autism.Making Practice AccessibleMy experience has taught me that making yoga accessible for adults with ASD is a real challenge. Yoga poses, breathing strategies, and visualization strategies must be taught using visual supports (such as pictures of poses or images to support visualization), direct and concrete language, and the proper props and supports to ensure safety and effectiveness for the individual’s specific body type, level of cognitive understanding and communication, and physical ability. With proper observation and assessment, as well as an experienced and knowledgeable teacher who understands what is needed to support adults with ASD, yoga can be tremendously beneficial.Yoga offers a holistic and healing system for supporting adults with autism and their families, and for helping them to live the healthiest, most vibrant, and meaningful lives possible. As we support these individuals in working with their challenges and building their confidence and self-esteem, we also help them to recognize their strengths and abilities—which will allow them to celebrate their unique inner light, and to shine that light brightly for all the world to see.Helpful Tips for Teaching Yoga to Adults with ASD• Use Visuals to Support Understanding. Language processing challenges can present difficulties when teaching yoga to adults with ASD. Using as many visual tools as possible such as pictures of poses and breathing strategies, visual sequences, visual timers, and modeling—will support your student with understanding, learning, and communication.• Predictability. Making the yoga experience predictable will alleviate anxiety and help your student know what to expect. If there will be changes to their yoga routine, communicate those changes to the student in advance to prepare them for the change.• Repetition. Repetition of poses and breathing strategies will allow your student to integrate the poses and breathing activities into their memory and body and support independence and self-esteem.• Set them up for success. When teaching poses and breathing strategies, start off by making them accessible and easily attainable. Give the modified version of the pose first, and then move to other variations only if and when the student is ready. This will allow for proper alignment and safety and will give the adult a sense of success and accomplishment. Use props to support balance, coordination, and safety in the poses.• Teach to their Strengths and Learning Styles. When leading trainings on yoga for children and adults with ASD, I talk a lot about the need to speak their language and use their interests, strengths, and specific learning styles as tools for teaching and reaching your students. The most important and effective tool for you to cultivate is connection and understanding. When your students see that you are meeting them where they are (rather than expecting them to meet you where you are), they will be more open and willing to trust you and let you into their world.

The short answer as to why: bullied for being different.There’s nothing new about that. I suppose bullying has been around since human beings first walked this earth. It can affect anyone at any time, but young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are especially vulnerable just as those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Down Syndrome, behavior disorders, blind, deaf, the wheelchair bound, etc. The results can be devastating. Being at odds with one’s peer group can lead to social isolation, rejection, and a lack of the supportive friendships.There is a growing body of research that indicates that young people on the autism spectrum are considerably more vulnerable to bullying than their peers. That’s not news to me. I didn’t know I had ASD when I was growing up, but I did know I was different. I was laughed at for my quirky behavior and I knew they were laughing at me and why. As much as it hurt, I couldn’t stop what I did and it wasn’t until I was 58 years old that I came to know the reason why I couldn’t.The mere nature of ASD means that negotiating the complex social world can be a challenging and daunting experience. It is a “hidden condition”, and so other children may struggle to understand why someone with autism is behaving in a different way.I try to look at it from the neurotypical’s perspective. Outbursts are a frightening thing to witness and it is disruptive whether it be in a school setting or some other public place. It is also difficult for others to understand some common differences, such as having particularly strong interests or sensitivity to noise. Jokes and sarcasm can also be problematic, with the one with ASD often taking the literal meaning of what is said.Sadly, there have been a number of tragic cases where a young person with autism has taken his or her own life, often following years of bullying and isolation from peers. While suicide is thankfully rare, the short and long-term effects of being bullied have been well reported. The consequences are heavy: low self-esteem, difficulties at school, and mental health issues, all of which can persist long after the bullying has ceased.On the bright side, not all with ASD are bullied, and there are strategies that can be used to prevent it. Such as teaching children what to do if they witness bullying can help to protect victims, as children can learn to intervene, put pressure on bullies, or seek adult assistance. Teachers with a good awareness of autism can be instrumental in promoting tolerance and encourage difference and individuality.Too much adult support can prevent pupils with autism from having appropriate contact with peers. But insufficient support may lead to increased vulnerability to bullying, such as on the school bus or at break and lunchtime. Close contact and collaboration between home and school can also help build positive relationships. It is valued by parents who may be the first to spot the warning signs that their child is being bullied.Tackling bullying cannot happen in a vacuum, and it is clear that multiple strategies are needed. If this can be achieved – as is the case in many schools on the offense of tackling bullying – then the bullying of those vulnerable can be prevented.

The remarkable increase in the number of school-age children recognized with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has created a pressing need to design and implement positive behavioral supports in our schools’ classrooms. Autism is much more common than previously thought, especially when viewed as a spectrum of disorders.Although there is no single effective behavioral intervention, evidence-based strategies such as self-management have shown considerable promise in addressing the attention and concentration difficulties and poor behavioral regulation of learners with ASD.Self-management strategies are an alternative to teacher-managed contingency procedures for students with and without exceptionalities. They have been implemented effectively for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, disruptive behavior disorders, and autism spectrum disorders.Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have difficulty generalizing learned behavior to varied environments with independence. This review of 24 empirical studies compares self-management as a systematic procedure for modifying one's own behavior, to increase target behaviors in students with either autistic disorder or high-functioning autism/Asperger's syndrome.Aspire provides small social skills groups at our centre in Newington. Groups are run by two therapists, with a maximum of six children depending on their skill levels. All groups are highly individualised and target specific social skills depending on the child’s individual needs.If you have a family member with autism spectrum disorder, visit Aspire Early Intervention for advice, information and support services.