How Mindfulness and Yoga Empower Children on the Autism Spectrum

We live in a fast paced world today, and for children on the autism spectrum it can feel even louder, faster, and more overwhelming. Sensory sensitivities, communication challenges, and emotional regulation are a few of the ways that children on the spectrum find navigating daily life exhausting. What if we could help children with autism find moments of stillness in their often overwhelming world? Mindfulness and yoga provide exactly that, not as a cure but as a set of tools for creating calm moments that give children a way to tune in to their bodies and understand and regulate their emotions.

What the Research Says:

The impact of mindfulness and yoga isn’t just witnessed by parents and educators, it has been studied and proven to make a measurable impact in the lives of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In 2012, a study by Koenig, Buckley-Reen, and Garg examined the effects of a daily yoga program called Get Ready to Learn in a classroom setting for children with autism and other special needs. After 16 weeks of consistent yoga, researchers found significant reductions in anxiety and aggression, as well as improved attention span and social communication skills. Another study in 2021 by Ridderinkhof et al. evaluated a mindfulness program designed for children with ASD and their parents. This program focused on breathing exercises, body scanning, and emotion awareness, and after 8 weeks families reported better impulse control, improved ability to communicate feelings, and a stronger bond between parent and child. These studies are more than scientific findings, they are hope and guidance for families looking to support their children with ASD.

Where Do I Begin?

 Figuring out where to begin can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be. The key is to start small and keep it playful. Do a few minutes of deep breaths with the child or start simple child-friendly yoga poses like a butterfly or cat pose (kids love pretending to be animals!). Mindful Play Learning also makes beginning your yoga and mindfulness journey easy and exciting by offering enrichment programs designed specifically for young children, including those on the spectrum, by blending mindfulness, movement, and imaginative play in a way that is engaging and suitable for young minds. Mindful Play Learning’s Yoga Storytime sessions turn simple breathing and stretching exercises into creative adventures. If you need the convenience of having Mindful Play Learning at any given moment, the Yoga Play Card Deck, which consists of 52 cards, each highlighting a select, easy-to-perform pose thoughtfully curated to suit a playful theme, is an extremely accessible way to access the benefits of yoga in a fun and engaging manner and is available as a physical card deck and digitally.

 Mindful Play Learning also offers many free resources on their social media pages and YouTube channel that include mini meditations, sensory crafts, fingerplays, and more. Whether you are a parent looking for simple routines to use at home or an educator seeking professional guidance, Mindful Play Learning provides the resources, workshops, and support you need to integrate mindfulness and yoga into everyday moments. To learn more or explore their programs, visit mindfulplaylearning.com or follow them on social media @mindfulplaylearning for tips, activities, and inspiration.

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References

• Koenig, K. P., Buckley-Reen, A., & Garg, S. (2012). Efficacy of the Get Ready to Learn yoga program among children with autism spectrum disorders: A pretest–posttest control group design. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66(5), 538–546.

• Ridderinkhof, A. et al. (2021). Mindfulness-based program for children with autism spectrum disorder and their parents. Mindfulness, 12, 1511–1527.