The ancient science of yoga can benefit children with autism in a variety of ways, says Nitin Bidlish
Yoga is a complementary therapy for children diagnosed with autism and special needs. As the identification and detection of autism is on the rise, schools and parents have started to participate in several innovative yoga programmes. According to Centre for Disease Control, one out of 68 parents and educators faces challenges in supporting children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).
Autistic children face difficulty in being expressive, social and face emotional challenges and sensory integration deficits. Many children with special needs experience heightened levels of anxiety.
Yoga provides supplementary support. By connecting the mind, body, and breath, it improves physiological and psychological processes through breathing techniques, postures, relaxation and meditation. It increases strength, co-ordination, balance and flexibility while improving social-emotional skills, body awareness, communication, self-regulation, improves concentration. It reduces impulsiveness, anxiety, obsession and aggression.
They display decreased co-ordination, body awareness, sensory integration and competitive physical outlets can be frustrating for them. Yoga is non-competitive and increases self-confidence. It allows people with autism to process the stimuli easily and self-regulate. Research on yoga has confirmed qualitative behaviour changes in them including increased tolerance of sitting, adult proximity and subsequent socialisation.
“They should practise yoga and asanas which direct the flow of blood towards the brain. This increases the blood circulation and oxygen flow in the nervous system. Asanas such as Halasana, Vipreet Naukasana for five times a day for 10 seconds are helpful. It strengthens their immune system, growth of tissues. Research has proved the importance of pranayam,” says Dr Deepak Jha, yoga consultant and expert at Medanta hospital.
Awareness and expression of emotions
Yoga not only creates awareness of social cues like actions, facial expressions and social behaviour but puts them in touch with their own emotions. Controlled breathing teaches them to release emotions like anger, anxiety and frustration in a healthy and constructive manner. It provides them with an outlet and gives out the message that it is okay to feel such emotions.
Reduces anxiety
They experience high levels of anxiety which adversely affects their behaviour, mood, health and sleep. Children can be constantly anxious because of sensory integration deficit, difficulty in communication along with several other challenges. Yoga has specific breathing strategies to reduce anxiety and soothe nervous systems.
Increases social communication skills
Yoga is an effective tool for improving social-communication and cognitive skills in children. There is also the development of skills like eye contact, sitting tolerance, receptive as well as non-verbal communication skills. Once they follow the instructor and listen to their mind and body, it enables them to develop emotions, language and communication skills.
Great reduction in challenging behaviors
Children with ASD may display challenging behaviours which can be improved with the intervention of yoga. It not only reduced anxiety but also impacted mood and behavior. Several yoga asanas and breathing strategies provide proprioceptive and vestibular input to support the child's sensory integration and self-regulation. As a coping mechanism, yoga builds a sense of achievement among parents and children.
(The author is founder and CEO of a provider of holistic care and therapy for children with special needs.)
