Yoga Mindfulness Project

Up to 84% of children with Autism have sub-clinical anxiety, which can evolve into complex mental disorders with age (White et al., 2009). Mindfulness practice gives one of the skills to counter ‘intolerance of uncertainty’ and low ‘emotional acceptance’ – key cognitive constructs that underlie anxiety in Autism (Boulter et al., 2014; Maisel et al., 2016).

Social communication difficulties often lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness among children with Autism (Jobe & White, 2007). Targeting intolerance of uncertainty, which also impacts social behaviours (Vasa et al., 2018), may increase social skills and assist children with Autism in developing relationships.

We are currently co-designing, evaluating, and co-translating a yoga-mindfulness intervention targeting mechanisms of anxiety and social behaviours in children with Autism in WA. This is an 8-week yoga (e.g. asanas/postures) and mindfulness (e.g. visualisations) intervention co-designed with children and families with Autism to be accessible, and yoga instructors and mindfulness psychologists to be safe and effective.

If you are interested in participating in this research, please get in contact.