Yoga and Asperger's/Autism

In today's podcast I explore the possibility of using Yoga to help adolescents and young adults with Asperger's or Autism.  Although there have been occasional reports in the media of using Yoga with individuals with Asperger's or special needs (see 2003 Boston Globe article), this has generally been a neglected area of inquiry.  I interviewed our Yoga consultant, Wendy Bienvenu of Keene, NH, about the group she is helping to organize at Keene State College.  Click on the MP3 link below to hear today's program.

Download pr6_complete.mp3

Comments

[Elizabeth Johnson]

Obviously I'm not a knowledgable person on Autism, but I sort of feel like the idea of yoga (I don't know anything about Ayengar) is too abstract. From reading "Curious incident.." I got the impression that anything you can't physically grasp was seen as unreasonable (the whole God thing). I think the actual practice of going through the movements will be greatly beneficial; but the whole "in tune with your inner self" and the mind-body connection is a concept most neuro-typical people can't grasp. Also, when Wendi was talking about how she thought it interesting that her student couldn't reciprocate her movements when she was facing the student was kind of funny because I know a ton of people who can't learn that way. I certainly know that it's a whole lot easier for me to have the teacher facing the same way.

[Nicole Boisvert]

I think that if I was a parent who had a child with Asperger's symdrome, I would highly consdier involving my child in non-taditional programs to cope with their sundrome, such as yoga. I think that even if the yoga doesn't solve all of their issues with the syndrome, that it will help them feel more connected with their body and feel a better sense of self awareness. I think that yoga is an excellent activity for anyone to engage in, with numerous benefits for the mind and body.

[Rachel ferrante]

I feel using yoga as a way for people with spectrum disorders is a great way frot them to have the chance and opportunity to understand their bodies, and find different ways to work with what they lack. I think this is a great idea not only for these types of individuals, but everyone as a whole. Yoga is a good way to find yourself and relax yourself. I feel the young women with autism who tryed the yoga benefited in some way or another. She felt she was being challenged with yoga, and wanted herself to get into something. Having a hard time understanding the instructions they still do wanna learn, but unfortunatly there motive is not the standard typical way. I feel with time and practice anyone, no matter who you are or what you have, can accomplish anything if there heart is in it.

[Jill Martineau]

I feel that for those students who have spectrum disorders to use yoga as a way of exercise is a great idea for their mind and their body. They would be able to gain more confidence in moving their bodies through space maybe at a more comfortable level. If there are instructors who are willing to work with students with autism or other spectrum disorders and who will want to teach them the understanding of their bodies; it would be so beneficial. I think it'll be a great way for students to get out there and try something different and it would be something that they might truly enjoy. This blog was also helpful to Wendy and how she would be able to conduct her classes(so that students with autism could learn at their own pace, through their own perspective, and in a non-traditional setting). It's worth a try!

[Erin Shelton]

I feel as though this might be a good way for people with autism or aspberger's to gain better control over their physical body, and lessen the awkwardness of their movements. I think its great that there are people like Wendy that are enthusiastic about working with these individuals. It also helps the teacher to develop different teaching methods.

[L. Tagen]

I think that yoga for those with spectrum disorders is a wonderful idea.I can't think of a better way for them to get in touch with their bodies and become higher-functioning. i believe that it will be approved by the school and that ksc students will absolutely be on board with it.

[Stephanie Rascona]

I can't believe that something as simple as yoga can be so helpful to children. I usually hear that yoga has helped adults in their breathing and excerising methods. It is so great to know that there is another way to help children with asthuma without the use of medication and constantly going to the doctors office everytime they have trouble breathing. I am happy for Lauren to have a friend to relate to and go to yoga class with.

[Jessica Balsam]

I think that yoga or any other activity that can really get your mind in touch with your body would be very beneficial for children with spectrum disorders. I am an education major and my kindergarten class would probably benefit from yoga, just because it would help them learn control and motor skills.

[kara gallagher]

i enjoyed listening to this weblog because i always thought that doing yoga for a spectrum disorder child would be helpful for them. i am doing a project on Attention Deficit Disorder and i agree that yoga would help them as well.

[Charles Keating]

Yoga seems like it could be a great thing to help out children with sprectrum disorders. I do not have much knowledge about yoga, but it seems like it could help these children with there balance and there cordition skills/motor skills.

[Lauren Levinstim]

I think yoga, a non traditional form of therapy, is a great idea for adolescence and young adults with spectrum and developmental disorders. Yoga sounds like a great way for them to get intouch with their bodies, reduce stress, and be able to compare their instructor's movements with their own.

[Katja Walker]

My ten year old was recently diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and almost has his Black Belt in Karate - 4 more months to go. To my surprise he has stuck with it over the years. His balance has improved, as well as his concentration and to some extent his sense of personal space. I have practised Yoga on and off for a number of years and I suspect it could be very useful for a child with Aspergers for the same reasons that Karate was for him.

[Wendy John]

I am a Kripalu Certified Yoga instructor for children and a Kripalu Danskenetics instructor. Last year I had the opportunity to work as a one on one tutor with a young boy (9) diagnosed with Aspergers. Among other things he was very sensitive to unexpected touch and had serious defensive reactions to voice tone. Many Aspergers folks have unusual interests, my young friend enjoyed elevators, not riding them but knowing about them. Anyway we used our breath as an elevator. We breathed in and brought our arms up and breathed out and brought our arms down. This may sound very simple but learnig to control our breath is very difficult. Through this simple exercize, my friend was able to calm himself and refocus, with fewer reminders, within two weeks. He would recognize his "engine level" and start monitoring his breath. We also added a variety of fun postures that motivated tone and encouraged social interaction. I found yoga to be a great benefit for this little guy. As a Psych Major I hope to incorporate it into my practice as well as Dance and Movement.

[Suzanne]

Hi - - I was just wondering - how did the experiment work using Yoga with Aspergers Syndrome.

Thanks,

[Monica]

I am a LCSW-C who works in the psych field and homeschools my 8yo son with Asperger's. I recently attended a workshop on using Yoga to treat adults with anxiety and depression. I would love to learn more about using Yoga with spectrum kids and could envision forming a small class of AS/HFA homeschooled kids though I'm not sure where to look.

[Wendy]

I have worked with about a dozen Autistic children and find it unfortunate that there aren't any afterschool activities available to the Higher Functioning kids. I'm wondering if anyone out there has any thoughts on how / where we might create a Summer Camp, and or After School Program for this population. I'm thinking 4 - 6 week segments of Art, Yoga, Building a Birdhouse, Legos, Drama, Creative Writing, Book Club, Computers and a chance to bring special interests to the table. Also wonder what the need/desire for such a program might be.

[Wendy]

I have worked with about a dozen Autistic children and find it unfortunate that there aren't any afterschool activities available to the Higher Functioning kids. I'm wondering if anyone out there has any thoughts on how / where we might create a Summer Camp, and or After School Program for this population. I'm thinking 4 - 6 week segments of Art, Yoga, Building a Birdhouse, Legos, Drama, Creative Writing, Book Club, Computers and a chance to bring special interests to the table. Also wonder what the need/desire for such a program might be.

[Yoga for Beginners]

I personally can witness that Yoga practice is extremely helpful for people in the Autism Spectrum.

[Jaime Roche]

I facilitate therapeutic yoga-based socialization groups for children with Aspergers. The program is called Kid Connect and the website is www.socialskillsgroupsct.com. I am located in Greenwich, CT.

[Larry]

Jaime:
Checked out your website...good to see someone trying this out and working with these kids!
Larry

[SK]

Dear All,
I myself am an austic. As a child, I never used to understand my inability to make friends. I was ridiculed in all social circles in some form or other. I used to wonder why I am the one ? I liked repeating same lines/words. Being lonely used to hurt me, but nobody would understand that. I craved for friends. Yet, nobody was there. I would admit, I had been sucuidal at times. But, I used to get motivated by my studies and sports. Thinking, some day when I reach a good position, I will be respected and accepted in society. Academically, I was good in Maths. I am 24+ now and am a software engineer with almost 3 years of work experience in an MNC. Have earned some money and have a bank balance, yet my tryst with sociability continues and am trying my best to make friends. Hoping someday I will recover and get rid of my problem. Wish luck to all my fellow friends and everybody.
SK

[Wendy B. - interviewee]

I am pleased to report that although we had logistical issues setting up classes at KSC with everyone's different schedules (the students and their mentors would have all needed to attend) I hope to be working with a school for kids with spectrum disorders soon - they'd like the physical education program to include yoga and are most receptive - Stay tuned ! - Wendy B. (interviewed)

[Suzi]

Not sure why all the emphasis seems to be on high school and young adults with Asperger's as many other ages do indeed exist. My 52 year old brother with Asperger's swears by yoga, swimming and biofeedback, and spends 3 hours a day at gym (can no longer work but was a lead engineer at Boeing with patents he produced for fuel systems, etc). He also suffers from hypertension. Yoga has helped him a lot and swears by it. My 57 year old sister with Asperger's went the route of Paxil to deal with her anxiety since the medication was invented and she is a senior speech pathologist who I ironically had to teach how to modulate her voice which always boomed from dawn to dusk. My other Asperger brother aged 55 went the route of complete isolation and illness (stomach problems since adolescence, now leukemia) and exercised very little watching 14 hours of TV a day. Now I am working hard to help my almost 5 year old with Asperger's disorder manage his body, and am considering Aikedo, yoga and dance classes for him as his mind is so separated from his body which is impulsively driven. It is a struggle. I also have Asperger's but still need to get the diagnosis, and want to look into cognitive behavioral therapy for myself at some point, as my husband is shocked by my lack of social skills and things I say to strangers that he says are inappropriate. Our father, who would be 95 today but passed a few years back, was text book Asperger's (outgoing type - spoke in one sided monologues). He thought gyms and exercise programs were a waste, and his idea of exercise was to pull around 4' x 8' foot panels of plywood around our backyard, or push wheel barrels, or pour concrete, etc. and ran his own construction business. He would also wear heavy coats in winter, and forget to bathe for weeks. No one in our family ever could keep a job more than 6 months, but all of us ended up working for ourselves (except the TV addicted brother) and actually got by financially in life. Try yoga, worth a try. Too bad when I tried yoga my wrists hurt for days, and realized it wasn't going to work for me. Basic pilates worked better for me instead, as downward dog of yoga was just too painful and pilates offers an alternative.

[yoga schools]

Hey!I just wondered while reading.Believe me... for married aspires, life is just as difficult as it is for singles. Perhaps more so because we have TWO sets of parents - and all the fights that occur over which parents get to see us at lunchtime on Christmas day.
Thanks for this article BTW. Very good. (and thanks for the articles throughout the year. They've been an inspiration to read.

[Caron Carnahan]

Dear Larry,
Have you published the results of this research? Is the program ongoing? Were the student evaluations favorable? What were there impressions of progress or lack thereof?