| Autism Speaks offers a straightforward definition of | | | | Mari D. is a beginning Yoga student at the studio |
| Autism as "a complex brain disorder that inhibits a | | | | where I teach and work as the studio assistant. I |
| person's ability to communicate and develop social | | | | received a phone call from her asking about private |
| relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme | | | | Yoga classes for her son, Finn, who had been |
| behavioral challenges." | | | | diagnosed years earlier with PDD. Later, I received a |
| Although each individual exhibits varying forms of | | | | book, beautifully and lovingly created for teachers and |
| Autism (hence the "spectrum" of Autistic diagnoses), | | | | caregivers, all about Finn and his situation, his |
| some groups of symptoms and behaviors are | | | | development, diagnosis, and likes and dislikes. In |
| commonly associated with the disease. Catherine Lord, | | | | speaking further with Mari, she shared that the family |
| Director of the University of Michigan Autism and | | | | had moved to Seattle from Houston in order for Finn |
| Communication Disorders Center, offers the following | | | | to participate in therapeutic programs offered in this |
| answers about Autism Spectrum diagnoses: | | | | area that they could not find in Houston. |
| ASDs are defined by difficulty in three areas of | | | | I was inspired by his parents' dedication to giving Finn |
| behaviors: 1) reciprocal social interaction, 2) | | | | every opportunity to thrive and develop into the bright |
| communication and 3) repetition and insistence on | | | | and lovely boy he naturally is. |
| sameness. Exactly how an individual is impacted | | | | Mari had heard that Yoga was an appropriate therapy |
| across these three areas varies greatly. There is no | | | | for ASD. The sole text I was able to locate on Yoga |
| one behavior that is present in all individuals with ASDs | | | | and ASD is an inspiring book about the journey of |
| or that would rule out ASDs in every person. Many, but | | | | Yoga practicing mother and her son who was |
| not all, individuals with ASD have language delays. | | | | diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, Yoga for Children |
| Some individuals with ASD, but not all, have lifelong | | | | with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Step-by-Step |
| language disorders. Some, but not all, individuals with | | | | Guide for Parents and Caregivers by Dion E. Betts |
| ASD also have mental retardation that affects | | | | and Stacey W. Betts. |
| development of nonverbal problem-solving, everyday | | | | The Betts explain about Yoga and ASDs in the |
| self-care (e.g., dressing; academics) and language. | | | | introduction to their book: |
| Within the category of Autism Spectrum Disorder | | | | The physical symptoms of ASDs, while seemingly |
| (sometimes known as Pervasive Developmental | | | | slight, may drastically impair wellbeing and health. These |
| Disorders or PDD), there are a number of subtypes | | | | children need an appropriate and enjoyable physical |
| that are associated with different levels of severity in | | | | program. The practice of yoga assists individuals with |
| different areas. | | | | both strength and balance. The poses improve |
| Autism is the disorder that has received the most | | | | strength in the large muscles of the body and may |
| study and has been recognized for the longest time. It | | | | increase the tone of the muscles. Yoga poses may |
| is defined by the presence of difficulties in each of the | | | | also help to improve balance by helping your child |
| three areas listed above (social deficits, communication | | | | become aware of the placement of his or her legs |
| problems and repetitive or restricted behaviors), with | | | | and feet in relations to the rest of the body. The |
| onset in at least one area by age 3 years. It may or | | | | resulting muscle strength and balance control may |
| may not be associated with language delays or mental | | | | improve coordination. When the poses are practiced |
| retardation. | | | | consistently, your child will feel more comfortable in his |
| Asperger Syndrome is a form of ASD that is often | | | | or her body, which can carry over into other areas of |
| identified later (e.g., after age 3, usually after age 5) and | | | | their life. |
| is associated with the social symptoms of autism and | | | | Another prevalent feature of children with ASDs is |
| some repetitive interests or behaviors, but not with | | | | that they have many sensory issues. For example, |
| language delay or mental retardation. Many parents | | | | they are often extremely sensitive to bright lights. |
| and professionals use this term with older and/or more | | | | These children also cannot tolerate loud noise. The |
| verbally fluent individuals with autism because they feel | | | | taste, texture, and smell of food may present a |
| it is less stigmatizing. | | | | problem to them . . . Some children, when presented |
| Rett Syndrome and Child Disintegrative Disorder are | | | | with such stimuli, become upset and agitated. This |
| both very rare, severe forms of ASD that have | | | | behavior may cause your child's peers to view him or |
| particular patterns of onset, and, in the case of Rett | | | | her as different. These behaviors may lead to social |
| Syndrome, a specific genetic basis. | | | | isolation and feelings of loneliness. |
| Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise | | | | Yoga may address and decrease these sensory |
| Specified (PDD-NOS) is a form of ASD used to | | | | problems in several ways. First, the physical practice of |
| describe individuals who meet criteria for autism in | | | | yoga soothes the nervous system. Yoga provides |
| terms of social difficulties but not in both | | | | poses of flowing movements that allow energy to be |
| communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors. It | | | | released from the body. As your child goes through |
| can also be used for children who do not have clearly | | | | the movements of the yoga program, his or her body |
| defined difficulties under age 3 or later. This term is | | | | will become soothed and anxiety will lessen. By |
| often used by professionals when they are not quite | | | | practicing poses, an over burdened sensory system is |
| sure of a diagnosis or when the symptoms are mild. | | | | calmed and quieted. Moreover, the physical poses |
| Several epidemiological studies have reported that as | | | | offer a non-competitive physical activity that releases |
| many or more children have PDD-NOS or less clear | | | | pent-up energy. By practicing yoga, your child will have |
| symptoms as have classic autism. The difficulties of | | | | a respite from his or her usual experience of a |
| children and adults with Asperger Syndrome or | | | | sensory overloaded body. |
| PDD-NOS are similar, and milder than those of | | | | Practicing yoga may help a child feel more at peace |
| individuals with autism, suggesting that these distinctions | | | | with his or her body. Once your child is calmer and |
| are fairly arbitrary and should not be used to limit | | | | more focused, he or she may be able to concentrate |
| services or benefits. | | | | better on learning social skills. |
| About Finn | | | | |