Both of my boys do yoga and they LOVE IT!!!!! Brett and Sean know all the poses. It really relaxes them. Denise

YES! We do Yoga at school with our kiddos they love it it helps them relax !!
These kids are age 3 to 5 :)
special needs and all

Alex recieved Yoga for relaxation techqunices when he was in the hospital, I never thought about it before ( couldn't afford it) But he is on Physical ED restrictions for Cardio. problem. Is it safe for him to do yoga???????? The school just has him set out for PE, BUT ! YAgot my mind turning!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so glad to hear that people are Open to Yoga for the children. It is relaxing, and it is slow paced, pacif, and it gives them a focus, and it helps them feel they are being observed, that they are being paid attention to.

The Verbal shaping was such a moving workshop. We discussed verbal shaping and adding to the word: "Ball":BBBBB. "Ball" BahBahBah." "BAll, Ball, Ball"
"Ball Bounce, Ball Baounce, Ball bounce."

We talked about sign language, and using pictures to communicate.
The big thing I got out of the Sign language discussion was that it seemed to inspire the children enough in the long run to eventually begin to use words, because, to me, it seemed they got excited about communicating instead of just mimicking for the reinforcer (reward). A lady shared how she had a son that did not talk for 10 years until he learned sign language and that some how became a bridge for him to learn to be verbal and form words, because he was so excited about being able to communicate instead of being frustrated.

I was moved by the workshop, and it often brought tears to my eyes because I am being so inspired and lead to working with Autistic children, and children with special needs. I am overjoyed as my heart reaches out to these children, and to the parents. I have always had a special connection with special adults, and now the clown energy in me, that goofy fun loving spirit is going to really be of value to children, and parents. I look forward to my Yoga teachers training for the special child in 2008.

Next Monday I am going to a lecture where a TX state representative, Viki Truitt is talking about a bill (1919), that will help assist parents with Autistic children between ages 2-6, assisting with everything including physical therapy. Look for the post next week.

you can check out that lecture on the info for the DFW Center for Autism... just Google it. It's in the workshop department or contact me.

Thanks everybody! Bright Blessings-Cynthia

i wish i could find a yoga teacher in my area willing to do this with adam he would love it i know he would!

I got an email about this bill from Kay Baily Hutchison !!!!!!!Awsome huh!!!!! Maybe TX. is stepping it up, I can only hope!!!!!!!

Ah years.. don't get all too up. I think the govenor mandated that our kids can have speech therapy insured, but it cost so much that you are cheaper to get it without insurance. We need laws in Texas that prosecute the public school employees who intentially and maliciously violate IDEA like they do for Oliver.

You all may know I have many years of yoga training and am considered qualified and certified and registered and from all those words you may know I am pretty wacked. Yoga is the drug I take when the pressure makes me cry. Yoga keeps my energy positive and helps me stay on track. I teach all sorts of people including my kids, but they don't know it. It is the best thing to do, no matter if you are young or old, and especially if you are suffering from something, yoga will help..
I can't shut up about the benefits of yoga.......

Hi Everybody, I just wanted to say Thank you to those of you who contacted me about this topic. I am not a Parent of a child with ASD, however I have had many people in my life who have had this disorder. I was really excited and motivated to attend the workshop, and it helped me to make the decision to go back to College. I knew I was going to I just did not know which direction I was taking. I am now gearing toward a career change and will be returning to College to get my Masters in ABA, and also training as a Yoga teacher to Teach YOGA FOR THE SPECIAL CHILD. SO I want to be strong on a support team for people like you who share here on Daily Strength. I learn so much from reading your journals and your Posts! Thanks for being so kind and wonderful! And good luck to all of you!!!!

Gibbberish...
At the workshop we discussed Gibberish, and many parents were concerned...should they stop them? The general consensus was that gibberish was great, at least it was being verbal, and that from there you can begin to shape the words by forming the sounds. Gibberish can be seen as a strong desire to communicate. Choose a focus, perhaps 'Potty' and work on the "PPPPP" and then go to "Pah pah pah" you can later work with "TTT" TyTyTY".
In collecting data for the Applied Behavior Analysis you go back and forth with a reinforcer seen by some as a reward. It motivates them to have results. For example a favorite toy, or a new toy only used during this time of training/learning. Or you can use sensation like tickle, or high five. SO it goes like this, 3 trials, then the reinforcer: tickle them, they laugh and giggle and have fun, then work on three trials of 'PPP', 'PPP', 'PPP'...then tickle, and if they make the sound then reinforce the positive action with a HIGH FIVE, and a verbal "VERY GOOD", or "I LOVE IT WHEN YOU TALK!"
Introduce sign language: Sign GOOD JOB, modeling it as you say it.

If a toy is in the hand that they are interacting with, something that has lights or makes noise....let them them interact with it for a few seconds, then cover it and work on the "PPP", give it three seconds, "PPP", then 3 more seconds, "PPP" then let them play with it, that was 3 trials. Then go through the process again. In ABA 10 trials a minute is suggested...wow that is allot, but it keeps them focused.
Have at least two reinforcer's, if they get bored you can switch to the other motivater. And even if they are just mimicing, it's a step...
Once you get to the 'Potty' word, you can add on to it by introducing the word "Go".
Good Luck!!!!