Autism Spectrum disorder poses developmental issues inclusive of communication, social interaction, and a subset of behaviors which are repetitive. These behaviors often result in stress, sensory overload, and problems in sustaining focus. Although people are acquainted with common therapies such as speech or occupational therapy, meditation and mindfulness for autism are emerging as holistic therapy tools, useful in moderating stress levels, focus as well as emotional balance in autistic patients.
The Relation Schools of Thought on Autism and Meditation
Meditation is believed to benefit people with autism due to its positive impact on the brain and nervous system. Such patients, due to communication problems associated with the disorder, often suffer from sensory overload or anxiety. This makes their bodies enter a ‘fight or flight’ mode. However, following meditation can help in reducing the effects and regulating the autonomic nervous system.
Similarly, research has stated that mindfulness practices can:
- Lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and help people feel more at ease.
- Strengthen links between brain areas involved in attention and emotion regulation.
- Boost the brain’s ability to change and learn by forming new neural links and pathways.
For the autistic population, these benefits equate to greater focus spans, decreased anxiety levels, and enhanced control of emotions. Autistic people can benefit from meditation as a supplement to other therapies, making things much easier for them and their caregivers.
Importance of Meditation during Autism
Emotional and physical difficulties can be soothed for an autistic individual through meditation. Following are some of the benefits it provides:
Self-regulation of emotions goes to the next level
With the help of meditation people develop self-awareness, self-recognition, and self-processing during strong emotional sessions. It enhances one’s ability to cope with stress and emotions and lowers the chances of having meltdowns, making it easier for the person to manage their day to day activities.
Greater Focus and Attention
The application of meditation on a regular basis has shown to enhance the processes of self-control which makes it easier for an individual suffering from the autism spectrum disorder to be focused on the work at hand. A heightened concentration aids the individual in being less distracted, resulting in better learning, performance, and participation in various educational and other daily tasks.
Lower Cortisol Levels
Meditation has reduced stress, fatigue and anxiety for the individuals during the moments they feel overloaded with stimuli. Yoga practice lowers the cortisol rates lowering cravings caused by stress while feeling relaxed and calm which with the help of breathing techniques reduces the anxiety feeling experienced with autism.
Better patterns of sleep
Meditation integrated with bedtime routine aids users in falling and staying asleep. The person’s anxiety towards thoughts and bedtime is lowered leading to better sleep quality. As a whole this factors in being vital for an individual’s health.
Boosts Engagement With People
Practices such as those under mindfulness reduce social anxiety which increases social interaction like conversation. This improvement in assurance together with improvement in being able to concentrate enables an individual with autism to take up a social task which then enables them to bond comfortably and at the same time have enriching experiences in that area.
Meditation Methods That Benefit Autism
Not all forms of meditation are catered to everyone especially for those on the autistic spectrum as they can have issues with sensory overload or fidgeting. Below are the different types of meditation for autism that are beneficial:
Mindfulness Meditation:
This practice asks for concentration on ‘the now’ and more importantly on feeling one’s breath or sensations. It is beneficial to particularly autistic people by enabling them to perceive their thoughts and feelings without judging or trying to rationalize them which also helps to administer their emotions and stress levels. It’s a nice yet undemanding approach to self-awareness that does not require much sensory input.
Guided Imagery:
Guided imagery is a form of mental imagery that is facilitated with a guide and employs soothing images or language instead. Children or individuals who would like to engage in a story would use this which enhances their imagination and allows them to escape from overstimulating surroundings.
Body Scan Meditation:
Essentially, you will start from the head and gradually work your way down to your feet. Such a mental exercise is known as body scan meditation. This method is great for stress relief and promoting a sense of calm making it useful for dealing with instances of physical discomfort or sensitivity. This method is also beneficial for those who prefer an orderly assistive’s touch to their appeal as it reveals structure towards their practice as well as the session.
Loving-Kindness Meditation:
This form of meditation assists people in developing and nurturing a sense of kindness, compassion, and love towards oneself and for others around them. The concept works well to foster an emotional bond, prevent isolation, and strengthen social ties, which is essential for those on the spectrum for instance with autism. This in return aids the individual to have better social contact.
Ways of Introducing Meditation to People on the Autism Spectrum
People on the autism spectrum sometimes need a personalized approach that is gradual especially when trying to introduce meditation. Here are effective strategies to consider when getting started with the introduction:
Start off short But Sweet:
The time taken to conduct small sessions of around 2-5 minutes can prevent an individual from getting frustrated and allow them flexibility in getting comfortable with the practice. As they become more relaxed with the practice, more time can be added to the sessions.
Make the Space Welcoming for Meditation:
The environment should be kept quiet and free from any objects prone to distraction. Calm audios or gentle lighting can be used to make the space more friendly.
Include Their Interests:
Try to incorporate interests of the individual such as themes, animals, nature, or even their favourite characters and use them while meditating. This adds a more personal touch which helps foster interest in meditation.
Establish a Habit:
Try to set routine times when meditation can be carried out for example after eating, or just before going to sleep, or even after your therapy session can work. An individual is more likely to trust the process if familiarity is achieved, hence, frequent practice works.
Tackling Difficult Situations
While practicing mindfulness can work wonders for people with autism, it may present certain issues when incorporated into their daily lives. Below are a few typical problems and solutions that one might encounter over time.
Reluctance to Change or Try New Things:
Certain people suffering from autism may refuse to partake in new activities that they haven’t experienced before, or have a sense of anxiety towards them. To ease them into the practice of mindfulness, try and incorporate elements that they find pleasing. This can be a character, a story or a theme that they can remember. Gradually increase the complexity and the time duration as they get the hang of meditation.
Sensory Overload or Sensory Issues:
People with autism tend to have a much more advanced sensory system as compared to regular people making it difficult for them to practice traditional forms of meditation. To make the surrounding a bit more suitable, adapt the environment to ensure that there is not much sensory integration. Use noise-cancelling headphones, soft chairs or lights to make the environmental stimulation lower. Use tools that are appropriate to their senses like weighted blankets or soft toys to give them a sense of security during the sessions.
Difficulty in Remaining in One Position:
For people with autism who have attention problems, staying still for a long time can be very demanding, more so for those people who are hyperactive. Yoga and tai chi are some of the movement-based meditations that might work better. These activities provide mobility in combination with calm which is ideal for such cases. To ensure that they are still engaged but not too much, brief active meditative practices like mindful walking or even stretching could be employed.
Conclusion
Those people with autism can benefit stress wise, concentration wise, and otherwise emotionally if they consider the practice of meditation. It cannot replace conventional therapies as it is not a magic bullet but comes in handy for the patients and the members of the family. Its application can be maximised by the therapists and caregivers by customizing the technique according to the best needs of the individual patient.
For many, this would probably be the most difficult part, but with time, determination, and innovativeness, meditation can be incorporated into everyday life of a person. This immersion should be done gradually as being emergent may lead to stress but progress may be noted as one’s focus and sense of composure increases.
