Effect of yoga on children with autism spectrum disorder ASD in special school environments

Abstract

BACKGROUND newlineAutism spectrum disorder (ASD), the most common neurodevelopmental disorder, refers to a group newlineof disorders distinctly characterized by core symptoms of deficits in social communication and newlineinteraction and restrictive, repetitive behaviors. Other psychological and physiological newlinecomorbidities frequently accompany this disorder. As a heterogeneous condition, ASD ranges from newlinemild to severe across a continuum with varying degrees of impairments in functioning involving newlinecommunication, cognition, language, behavior, and other health conditions. Autism severity defines newlinethe level of support needed by the children for their day-to-day functioning. This disorder is newlineincreasingly reported amongst school-age children in India, where many children with ASD attend newlinespecial schools to receive support for learning basic functional and academic skills. Most of the newlinemajor challenges associated with children in school environments include social skills deficits and newlineproblem behaviors. Other common physiological conditions prevalent in children with ASD are newlinepoor motor proficiency, food and digestion problems, and sleep disorders. Such challenges usually newlinemanifest in the form of various behavioral issues and chronic stress, significantly affecting learning newlinein school environments. Yoga is recognized as a mind-body intervention that promotes physical, newlinephysiological, and psychological well-being in children with ASD and aids in the reduction of many newlineautism-related symptoms. Yoga classes as group intervention for the children with ASD within the newlinefamiliar and conductive school environment benefit all children by providing a consistent newlineopportunity for participation to all students. Evidence-based studies suggest that yoga can be an newlineeffective alternative mind-body intervention that positively impacts various aspects of autism. newline6 newlineAIMS AND OBJECTIVES newlineThe aims and objectives of the present study were to assess the effect of yoga on children with ASD newlineacross four special schools: newline- Autism severity newline- Social skills defic