10 Benefits of Yoga Therapy For Children With Autism

ASDs are neurodevelopmental disorders that harm the lifestyle of the patients due to their multifactorial nature and heterogeneity. People with autism display a group of disorders with variation in severity, symptoms, functionality, intellectual level and other disabilities. These multifactorial variations lead to ASD with metabolic, gastrointestinal and immunologic inferences that often occurs when the child is in the womb.

ASDs are progressive disorders of brain development and synapse connections that span from pre to postnatal life in a child. As autism starts from the embryonic stages, disruption of cell proliferation lead to sequential proceedings such as laminar disorganization, neuron maturation, neural migration, reduced neural network functioning, etc.

Autism spectrum disorders are marked by deficits in social communication/interaction, repetitive patterns of behaviour and lack of interests or activities. They also involve complex neuro developmental along with inflammatory conditions and immune dysfunction. Due to neurobiological changes, stem cell-based therapies are anticipated to patients with ASD. With the stem cells immunologic properties, they make a promising treatment option. The healthy and treated mesenchymal stem cells (derived from the bone marrow of the patients) are best for ASD treatment. The treatment is focused on correcting the cellular/molecular abnormalities in the patients.

Post stem cell treatment at the best hospital, the doctors recommend occupational therapy interventions too. Yoga therapy for Autism is a growing therapy for children with special needs. With yoga’s endless benefits, it addresses both the physical and emotional symptoms of autism. Yoga therapy conducted at the hospital provides several benefits in patients that include:

1. Yoga develops motor skills:

Yoga therapy for Autism is done in a natural setting of dim lights, soft mats, and relaxing music to create a comforting environment which helps in calming their highly sensitive nervous system.

2. Yoga maintains discipline

Yoga classes are scheduled at a fixed time daily, the same room, with mats in the same layout and with the same instructor.  This daily routine supports the patient’s need for order and also imparts a sense of trust and steadiness.

3. Yoga is best for an emotional brain

Yoga is a combination of physical movement and breath work. It helps in activating the emotional regions of the brain while encouraging children to maintain their attention and develop an awareness of their emotions.

4. Yoga for self-awareness

By becoming aware of their bodies, yoga provides children to control their emotions when they feel anxious or upset. Since, children with Autism are visually oriented, instructors at the ‘Yoga therapy for Autism’ classes provide visuals of coloured pictures of each pose near their mat.

5. Yoga to improve social skills

By learning to master self-control and self-calming skills, children with Autism are likely to grow confidence in interacting with refined social skills.

6. Yoga for sensory integration

Children with autism are highly sensitive and easily over stimulated by loud noises, bright lights, strong tastes and smells. Yoga’s ‘inner voice’ create a comforting environment and aids in releasing the nervous energy leading to a calming sensation.

7. Yoga for expression of emotions

Yoga therapy for Autism not only bring awareness to social cues such as facial expressions and social behaviours but also bring awareness to their emotions and feelings. The various breathing strategies teach the kids with ASD to release their bottled-up emotions (such as anger, anxiety and frustration) in a healthy and positive manner.

 8. Yoga to reduce challenging behaviours

Challenging behaviours recorded after yoga intervention for children with ASD showed improvement not only in reducing anxiety, mood and behaviour but, also in developing self-regulation and managing skills.

9. Yoga encourages body awareness

Children with Autism have limited body awareness! Through Yoga they identifying body parts and their movement which in turn help them to develop a greater sense of body awareness.

10. Yoga for ‘positive sense’

Yoga therapy for Autism supports children with ASD to improve their self-confidence. The various balancing poses are powerful enough for modifying and supporting the ability of the children in building up their self-esteem. This helps them with a feel of positive sense that help them to feel successful.

Yoga is an awesome toolbox for parents as well as kids with autism. Constant practice helps them to form a happy and contended life.