Three Book Reviews Dealing With Guides for Kids With ASD

In a previous post, Yoga Helping Autistic Children, I wrote about the amazing benefits yoga classes seem to bring to individuals with Autism. My post was especially about how Yoga helps autistic kids get in touch with their bodies, become aware of their emotions and their feelings, and provides them with the ability to cope when they start to feel anxious, upset or stressed.


The following are a few books on the same topic and also these books provides creative, practical strategies for helping children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) to function effectively at home and in the community.

 Social Skills for Teens and Adults with Asperger’s Syndrome by Nancy J. Patrick

Nancy J. Patrick, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Autism Consultant, Assistant Professor, Messiah College, Harrisburg, PA, USA, writes about strategies in the home and community for children with Autism Spectrum and other disorders. Dr. Nancy Patrick says:

“Persons with ASDs may particularly benefit from yoga … in that heightened anxiety, poor motor coordination and strength and weak self-regulation are three areas in which most persons with autistic spectrum disorders struggle and for which there are few other solutions. Yoga poses and breathing techniques could prove to be very helpful interventions for increasing the quality of life for children and adolescents with ASDs.”

Your school does not offer yoga sessions? This book is a great resource for parents:

Yoga For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Step-By-Step Guide For Parents And Caregivers by Dion E. Betts, Stacey W. Betts

Stacey W. Betts is an attorney and assists families with children with disabilities. Dion E. Betts, Ed.D., is Assistant to the Superintendent for Instructional Support at South Western School District in Hanover, PA. He and his wife have five children, two of whom have AS.

Product Description of this paperback: "Having successfully used yoga to combat the stress of their own busy lives, Dion and Stacey Betts discovered its potential for their son Joshua, who has Asperger Syndrome.

This fully-illustrated book combines the authors' professional expertise with their experience of parenting, offering a range of gentle and fun yoga positions and breathing techniques that are effective in dealing with the increased levels of anxiety, disorientation and tactile sensitivity often found in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs),"

Publishing Date: May 2006
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub
Number of Pages: 101

If you appreciate those first two books, you are in for a treat as Dion E. Betts and Nancy J. Patrick joined forces and wrote one together.

Homespun Remedies Strategies in the Home and Community for Children with Autism Spectrum and Other Disorders by Dion E. Betts and Nancy J. Patrick In this book you will find sensible and specific approaches to tackling day-to-day problems faced by parents and carers, such as bathing, feeding, haircuts, and shopping. Homespun Remedies explains easy changes that result in big improvements in the quality of life for autistic children, their families and caregivers.

Have other good resources for families dealing with Autism?