Yoga for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents and Caregivers »

"This illustrated book draws on the authors' understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), and also their enthusiasm for yoga and the ways in which it can be used. It offers 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 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 present a range of short and long sequences that can be tailored to meet 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.

Library Journal

As the parents of a child with Asperger syndrome, special education administrator Dion E. Betts (coauthor, Homespun Remedies: Strategies in the Home and Community for Children with Autism Spectrum and Other Disorders) and yoga practitioner Stacey W. Betts are sensitive to the needs of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Here they explain how yoga can be beneficial to such children through a series of illustrated, easy-to-follow yoga poses and breathing techniques. They introduce warm-up, strengthening, tension-releasing, and calming poses; two short sequences for lighter days; and four breathing techniques. Photos present two levels of a pose, and imagery is employed metaphorically as well, to help the child better understand a pose (e.g., one must be strong in the bridge pose to hold up the cars and trucks that roll over a bridge). This book, which can be used by parents wanting to introduce their children to yoga, shows how stress and anxiety can be lessened in both parties through patience and hands-on interaction. Recommended for all libraries.-Dede Fellrath-Archer, Naples, FL Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.