The U.S. CDC reports (based on 2016 data) that 1 in 54 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The data show a consistent increase over the past 20 years. There is no known “cure” for autism and limited medications that change the developmental trajectory. Behavioral interventions are considered the best approach.
THE CHALLENGE
Providing services to this growing population falls mainly to schools, community centers, and therapeutic practices. Characteristics in the ASD population are high incidences of anxiety, obesity, ADHD, motor inflexibility, difficulties with change and transitions, developmental and motor delays, and a tendency toward repetitive actions and behaviors.
The Autism Society of Macomb/St. Clair and The Macomb Intermediate School District had a population of 19,000 requiring special education within the public and nonpublic schools. Therapeutic interventions were needed to support the children and adults on the spectrum. The earlier the intervention, studies show, the better chance for higher functioning.
THE SOLUTION
In 2012, the Autism Society of Macomb/St. Clair tapped Belightful Yoga to build a yoga program for their students with special needs. Belightful developed two yoga sessions (one for parents/ caregivers and one for children). More than 50 participants attended the first class.
Our first-class started out loud and wild at times,
Theresa Gabalis
there was a lot of anxiety.
Former Chapter President, Macomb/Saint Clair Autism Society
The Belightful Yoga program included:
- A non-competitive and encouraging atmosphere to support wellbeing.
- The classes used previously learned repetitive components and built on them in each session, which increased students’ confidence and decreased anxiety.
- Consistency with verbal and visual cues: students knew what to expect; the structure of the class was predictable.
- Positive affirmations such as “I can do it,” “I am strong and powerful,” or “I am balanced and focused,” increased self-esteem, attention, and concentration.
- Proven yoga-based postures and games that develop motor skills, improve muscle tone and stability, and release nervous energy.
- Poses that supported better sleep/digestion and sensory integration skills.
- Mirroring techniques, paired with keywords and phrases, for parents and educators to use, with students, to reinforce practice – in between sessions for consistency.
- Mindfulness strategies with visual breathing tools; visuals that those on the spectrum could see firsthand (breathing became a visual game, with a breathing ball, expandable origami, a rainbow, or slinky).
Parents, such as Suzanne Thomas, 38, of Clinton Township and mom to Luciano, 13, were notably pleased with results. Thomas felt the yoga practice was a good break from all the academic work and therapy her son Luciano focused on during school.
I liked [that yoga] was something we could do together,
Suzanne Thomas
Clinton Township, mom to Luciano, 13
THE RESULTS
With positive reviews from students and parents, the physical and occupational therapy staff at MISD wanted to experience firsthand how Belightful Yoga services were benefiting their students. Belightful provided a one-hour professional development presentation.
Belightful Yoga’s professional development session proved [in]valuable in support of our school district’s physical and occupational therapists. We were provided experiential learning and useful tools to implement now to impact the wellbeing of our students.
We’re planning to have Belightful come back for a longer session –
Kim Gollon MA PT
we couldn’t get enough!
Physical Therapist, Macomb Intermediate School District
With the program’s success, a more extended professional development session was offered to many of the MISD’s physical and occupational therapists, and additional programming was developed:
- the Autism Society of Macomb/St. Clair agreed to fund Belightful Yoga sessions and integrate them into the school day curriculum throughout the MISD Autism Impaired Program.
- Belightful worked with PT/OT’s to arrange segments based on grades and functioning level. worked with PT/OT’s to arrange segments based on grades and functioning level.
It was amazing to see our students lay on their backs, close their eyes, and remain still and quiet. Our teachers commented on how well the students responded to Belightful Yoga, and that they were going to take poses and concepts back to their classrooms to try.
Jody Stafford
Occupational Therapist, Macomb Intermediate School District
…by the end of our series, you could hear a pin drop.
Theresa Gabalis
Former Chapter President, Macomb/Saint Clair Autism Society
