Yoga for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

“Yoga for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders is a well written and easy to follow guide for parents, caregivers, and even professionals. Providing simple and effective techniques, the book gives hope to families that children with autism spectrum disorders can lead lives feeling less stressed and happier. It provides information about autism spectrum disorders and the right combination of knowledge and sensitivity that makes this a must-have for all of us. The authors recognize that the true teachers are the children; this is what makes it a truly great book.”
– Thea Griffin, M.S.W. Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Certified Professional Kripalu Yoga Teacher, Certified Kripalu DansKinetics© Teacher, Albany, NY, USA

“As a psychologist, teacher and parent of a child with an autistic spectrum disorder I would predict that yoga, as presented by Dion and Stacey Betts in...Yoga for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, would benefit children and adolescents with autistic spectrum disorder in ways that researchers have shown that it benefits all persons, by aiding in stress reduction, reducing anxiety, increasing body awareness, strength, and flexibility and increasing self-regulation. Persons with ASDs may particularly benefit from yoga as described by Dion and Stacey in that heightened anxiety, poor motor coordination and strength and weak self-regulation are three areas in which most persons with autistic spectrum disorders struggle and for which there are few other solutions. Yoga poses and breathing techniques could prove to be very helpful interventions for increasing the quality of life for children and adolescents with ASDs.”
– Nancy J. Patrick, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Autism Consultant, Assistant Professor, Messiah College, Harrisburg, PA, USA

"I've been practicing yoga for five years with a Certified Yoga Teacher. I have a grandson with Asperger Syndrome who has been doing yoga for about a year. He does especially well with a modified Tree Pose and the modified Spinal Twist. Both poses are relaxing and keep his arms occupied. The Tree is wonderful for strengthening his muscles and helping his balance. The Spinal Twist is a very gentle twist that is good for his upper torso. These yoga poses have helped him release energy in a positive way rather than him "flapping" his arms. I believe that Yoga for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders is an excellent resource for many families who need to find ways for their children cope with Asperger Syndrome. This book has allowed me to share my love of yoga with my grandson and feel like I contribute to making his life a little bit better. I am grateful to have access to this wonderful resource."
- Judy Waldman, Former Elementary Teacher, B.S., Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

"In my 14 years of experience as a speech therapist and eight years of experience as a practicing Certified Yoga Teacher, I have found yoga to be the most effective form of therapy for children with Asperger Syndrome. As a result of using yoga with children with Asperger Syndrome, I have found that these children display increasing overall attention, and greater awareness of their environment as well as increasing overall socialization skills with other children."
- Judy E. Stasek M.S., CCC-SLP, and Certified Yoga Teacher

Having successfully used yoga to combat the stress of their own busy lives, Dion and Stacey Betts discovered its potential for their son Joshua, who has Asperger Syndrome.

This fully-illustrated book combines the authors' professional expertise with their experience of parenting, offering a range of gentle and fun yoga positions and breathing techniques that are effective in dealing with the increased levels of anxiety, disorientation and tactile sensitivity often found in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).

The authors give step-by-step descriptions of warming-up, strengthening, calming, and tension-releasing exercises that are suitable for reducing coping mechanisms such as hand-flapping, and increasing muscle tone, muscle strength and body awareness. They also offer a range of short and long sequences that can be tailored to fit the needs of the individual child.

Yoga for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders is ideal for parents and caregivers who want to use simple yoga techniques to help children with ASDs overcome some of the symptoms of the disorder.