Yoga for Children and Young People with Autism: Yoga Games and Activities to Engage Everyone Across the Spectrum

by Michael Chissick, Sarah Peacock (Illustrator)

Overview

Speaking from decades of experience, Michael Chissick shares the secrets to teaching yoga to children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The physical, emotional and social benefits of yoga for autistic children can be profound, and this book will give you the confidence to get going with an array of fun activities and games from 'chasing the frog' to 'yoga detective'. Whether you work in special needs school, primary mainstream school or the community, or you are the parent of an autistic child, this book will equip you with plans, structures, goals, teaching tips and a multitude of real-life stories.

The book is suitable for teaching everyone on the spectrum, with an emphasis on teaching those with more complicated needs. It is also relevant for use with children who have related needs such as ADHD and sensory processing challenges. Beautifully illustrated with images of the postures taught within, it is the perfect go-to resource for anyone interested in engaging children and young people in yoga.

I can be a banana, can you?

Suitable for ages 4-11

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781785926792
Publisher:	Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publication date:	02/21/2019
Pages:	136
Product dimensions:	6.80(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Michael Chissick has been teaching yoga to children in primary mainstream and special needs schools as part of the curriculum since 1999. He is a leading specialist in teaching yoga to children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders and continues to train and mentor students who want to teach yoga to children.

Table of Contents

Introduction. 1. Who Is This Book For? 2. Who This Book Is Not For. 3. Differentiation across the Autistic Spectrum. 4. Teaching Students with Autism in a Special School. 5. My Overall Aims. 6. Aims, Objectives & Learning Outcomes. 7. Lesson Plans. 8. The Games. 9. Sequences. 10. Sequence Games. 11. The Postures. 12. Teaching Yoga to Children with ASD in Mainstream Primary. 13. Case Studies. 14. Resources. 15. Animation Video: Yoga Session for Children with Autism. 16. Games List. 17. Posture List. 18. Games by Group. Resources.

Editorial Reviews

This collection is another gem from Chisswick. His structured and inclusive approach to yoga for those with autism is clear, user-friendly and most importantly, fun! There are so many ideas and approaches here that practitioners and parents will find invaluable. At a time when we are becoming increasingly aware of the lifelong importance of well-being and mental health for all, teaching yoga is a wonderful way to equip a vulnerable group of children with skills that will support their well-being for a long time to come!

Catherine McNerney

I would recommend Michael's works to anyone within education, his yoga games are uncomplicated and the resources are first class! This book is user friendly, but also allows the reader to benefit from Michael's vast experience of not only teaching yoga, but successfully delivering within special educational needs settings. The games, sequences and postures within this book are suitable for both the beginner as well as experienced professionals.

Ryan Jones

Amongst the expressive visuals and easy to follow yoga activities I've come to expect with Michael's books, you'll find some real life insights into engaging children across a broad range of sensory needs. I am by no means a yoga practitioner, but by following the game-led and goal-focused approach championed by Michael I'm able to confidently deliver activities that engage everyone in the class. It's no secret that children are more likely to be receptive to physical activity if it's fun but Michael's knowledge goes further by really considering the differing sensory needs of the children creating a balanced and nurturing environment. The structure and repetition of the activities breeds consistency, giving me the assurance of delivering a manageable, enjoyable, but above all achievable yoga lesson for all.

Phillippa Johnson

This is a masterpiece of a book for those teaching Yoga to children anywhere on the autistic spectrum. Michael gives clear guidelines as to how to engage the children's interest while considering the individual conditions of autism with structure and consistency. It works and is just brilliant.

Wendy Teasdill