Autism, a formative disorder that normally develops in the first years of a child’s life, and has been rising rather worryingly since the late 1980’s, Some say that the rate is as high as 1 in 500 kids. Autism was once a rare disorder, striking around one in 1500 kids. However, since the past two decades or so the rate has gone up rather sharply, both in the U.S. as well as in other parts of the world.
Autism makes it tough for kids to converse both verbally as well as non-verbally, to relate to the outside world, and to interact socially with other people, including children their age. However, many of the children afflicted by this disorder even exhibit rare abilities in other areas such as music, the arts and mathematics. Autism is characterized by a set pattern of behaviors. To any degree of severity, kids and adults could exhibit different combinations of such behaviors. So 2 kids, both afflicted by autism, might act very differently, and display varying aptitudes as well.

Fortunately, Yoga Therapy has been known to deliver highly positive results with children, reportedly improving both balance as well as sociability, together with problem solving and communication skills. Yoga believes in establishing a strong bond with the child afflicted by autism. This is the first step in teaching them anything.

Yoga For Children Suffering From Autism Spectrum Disorders
Warm up poses
Sitting pose
Shoulder opener pose
Neck rolls
Spinal rolls
Cat pose
Mountain pose
Chair pose

Sitting Poses
Butterfly pose
(Reclining) butterfly
Child’s pose
Easy spinal twist
Head to knee pose
Seated forward bend
Seated spinal twist
Spread leg forward bend pose

Strengthening Poses
Downward dog pose
Side angle pose
Standing forward bend pose
Tree pose
Triangle pose
Warrior pose I & II

Relaxation Poses
Boat pose
Bridge pose
Sphinx pose
Stick pose
Corpse pose

Pranayama (Breathing Exercises)
Mild Kapalabhatti (skull cleansing)
Anuloma-Viloma (alternate nostril breathing)
Lion breath
Sitkari (curled tongue cooling breath)
Ujjayi (ocean breath)

These poses are far from easy, and the Yoga instructor needs to be able to come down to the level of children. Only then will the instructor be able to win the kid’s total, uninterrupted confidence, without which no knowledge or instruction can be imparted for healing to be possible. Music, massage, rhymes, stories and dancing are some of the additional techniques you could use to connect with the autistic child.