The Autism Fitness Handbook : An Exercise Program to Boost Body Image, Motor Skills, Posture and Confidence in Children and Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Designed to address specific areas of difficulty for children, teens and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the 46 exercises in this comprehensive program are proven to improve body image, motor coordination, posture, muscular and cardiovascular fitness. The boost to confidence, relationships and general wellbeing resulting from this will be transformative for individuals with ASD and their families. Used extensively in homes, schools and specialist ASD programs, the exercises require minimal equipment and can be used in a wide range of settings. Accompanied by clear instructions and explanatory cartoon illustrations, they are easy for non-specialists to follow and can be used just as effectively with groups or individuals. Packed with helpful advice from the author, an ASD fitness specialist, as well as inspiring case studies and guidelines on adapting the exercises for different ages and abilities, this popular program contains everything needed to get minds and bodies active while having fun!

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.

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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.

Yoga therapy is gaining rapid recognition as a form of treatment that can improve the physical and mental wellbeing of children with a variety of complex needs. This book contains a specially-designed yoga program for use with children of all abilities, and provides both parents and professionals with the knowledge they need to carry out the therapy themselves.

The program consists of a series of postures, each of which is explained and accompanied by an illustration. The postures are designed to help children understand and use their bodies, and work towards positive changes such as realigning the spine, encouraging eye-contact, and promoting calm and steady breathing. Consideration is given to creating the right setting for carrying out the therapy, assessing an individual child's particular needs, and making the sessions fun using games and props. Sections on yoga therapy for specific conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy are included, and the book concludes with child and parent reports on how the program has worked for them, and a list of useful contacts and resources.

This practical book is a must for parents, teachers, therapists and other professionals, and anybody else who wants to help a child to develop through enjoyable and therapeutic yoga sessions.

Yoga therapy is gaining rapid recognition as a form of treatment that can improve the physical and mental wellbeing of children with a variety of complex needs. This book contains a specially-designed yoga program for use with children of all abilities, and provides both parents and professionals with the knowledge they need to carry out the therapy themselves. The program consists of a series of postures, each of which is explained and accompanied by an illustration. The postures are designed to help children understand and use their bodies, and work towards positive changes such as realigning the spine, encouraging eye-contact, and promoting calm and steady breathing. Consideration is given to creating the right setting for carrying out the therapy, assessing an individual child's particular needs, and making the sessions fun using games and props. Sections on yoga therapy for specific conditions such as autistic spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy are included, and the book concludes with child and parent reports on how the program has worked for them, and a list of useful contacts and resources. This practical book is a must for parents, teachers, therapists and other professionals, and anybody else who wants to help a child to develop through enjoyable and therapeutic yoga sessions. Having successfully used yoga to combat the stress of their own busy lives, Dion and Stacey Betts discovered its potential for their son Joshua, who has Asperger Syndrome. This fully-illustrated book combines the authors' professional expertise with their experience of parenting, offering 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 autism spectrum disorders (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 offer a range of short and long sequences that can be tailored to fit 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.

Designed to address specific areas of difficulty for children, teens and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the 46 exercises in this comprehensive program are proven to improve body image, motor coordination, posture, muscular and cardiovascular fitness. The boost to confidence, relationships and general wellbeing resulting from this will be transformative for individuals with ASD and their families.

Used extensively in homes, schools and specialist ASD programs, the exercises require minimal equipment and can be used in a wide range of settings. Accompanied by clear instructions and explanatory cartoon illustrations, they are easy for non-specialists to follow and can be used just as effectively with groups or individuals.

Packed with helpful advice from the author, an ASD fitness specialist, as well as inspiring case studies and guidelines on adapting the exercises for different ages and abilities, this popular program contains everything needed to get minds and bodies active while having fun!

Getting into the Game: Sports Programs for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder will help families, clinicians and coaches support children with autism in taking their first steps into sport and recreation. Participation in individual and team sports plays an important part in children's development and promotes growth in a number of areas. As well as the obvious health benefits, sport also provides the perfect backdrop to teach young people with autism about rules, strategy and teamwork – all invaluable lessons that can be applied to wider society. By detailing six of the most popular sports: cycling, ice skating, swimming, soccer, taekwondo and tennis and including the unique experiences of families of children with autism, it offers all the information, advice and support needed to help get kids with autism engaged in fun and positive sport environments. This book is an invaluable resource for parents, teachers, coaches and anyone supporting children with autism spectrum disorders in a sport or recreation environment. Does your child struggle with brushing their teeth? Is it difficult to get them dressed and undressed each day? Do they struggle to understand their body's relationship to the world? This book is brimming with simple ideas, activities and exercises to address these daily challenges that young children with autism face. Easy to carry out and to fit into your routines, they will help improve a child's sense of body awareness, coordination and motor skills, and address key tasks such as eating meals and healthy sleep. There are also ideas for tackling social challenges, including playing with friends, going on holiday and staying calm at school. The final chapter of the book explains the different support professionals parents of a child with autism are likely to encounter and how each can help their child. This jargon-free book shows how occupational therapy techniques can be used to help your young child with autism to live life to the full, and will be an essential tool for parents and carers. Yoga therapy can be a hugely rewarding approach for children with a wide range of special needs. This accessible guide contains simple yoga techniques that can be used with children of all abilities. The author provides gentle yoga postures and exercises that can help to promote relaxation, flexibility, strength, coordination and body-awareness. Each posture is accompanied by a line drawing, and the author offers advice on how each posture appropriately supports the individual child's needs and abilities. Practical tips for incorporating creative fun and games into yoga sessions are included "Yoga for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders is a well written and easy to follow guide for parents, caregivers, and even professionals. Providing simple and effective techniques, the book gives hope to families that children with autism spectrum disorders can lead lives feeling less stressed and happier. It provides information about autism spectrum disorders and the right combination of knowledge and sensitivity that makes this a must-have for all of us. The authors recognize that the true teachers are the children; this is what makes it a truly great book."--Thea G This book is full of simple occupational therapy methods and activities to help school-aged children with autism spectrum disorders. They can be integrated into everyday life and be carried out by parents or carers with no training. The activities will strengthen visual, motor, sensory processing, and self-care skills, as well as coordination. This book will help families, clinicians and coaches support children with autism in taking their first steps into sport and recreation. It details six sports: cycling, ice skating, swimming, soccer, taekwondo and tennis and offers all the advice and support needed to help get kids with autism engaged in fun and positive sport environments. A new edition of a popular program by a well-known autism fitness specialist, this book contains a wealth of innovative exercises to boost body image, motor coordination, posture, muscular and cardiovascular fitness and overall health and wellbeing in children and teens on the autism spectrum, and is ideal for use at home or at school. Yoga therapy can be a hugely rewarding approach for children with a wide range of special needs. This guide contains simple yoga techniques that can be used with children of different abilities. It provides gentle yoga postures and exercises that can help to promote relaxation, flexibility, strength, coordination and body-awareness Addresses the challenges that young children with autism face and provides simple ideas, activities, and exercises that will help improve a child's sense of body awareness, coordination, motor skills, and various social challenges Photographs and step-by-step instructions introduce parents and caregivers to the basic movements and positions of yoga that can be used to benefit children with Autism Spectrum Disorders This is a step-by-step guide to using simple yoga postures and exercises with children with a wide range of special needs