{"id":10963,"date":"2014-04-11T16:48:24","date_gmt":"2014-04-11T20:48:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tm.org\/blog\/?p=10963"},"modified":"2014-06-20T11:07:48","modified_gmt":"2014-06-20T15:07:48","slug":"effortless-drug-free-therapy-helps-children-with-autism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usa.tm.org\/blog\/video\/effortless-drug-free-therapy-helps-children-with-autism\/","title":{"rendered":"Effortless, Drug-Free Therapy Helps Children with Autism"},"content":{"rendered":"

I came across this inspiring article from Everyday Health<\/a>, written by Beth W Orenstein<\/a>, suggesting the Transcendental Meditation technique could be a drug free alternative for kids with autism. Beth is a full-time freelance medical and health writer with over 30 years of experience. With growing evidence that the TM technique helps children focus and be less impulsive, many families are already making it a part of their daily routine, and it may not be long before autistic children commonly use the TM technique as an accepted, drug-free, complimentary treatment.<\/p>\n

To read the full article, click here<\/a>, or read an excerpt below.<\/p>\n

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As an addition to traditional treatments, 10 minutes twice a day of Transcendental Meditation (TM) has been shown to help some children manage the condition. It may also help children who have varying degrees of social, communication, and behavioral challenges.<\/p>\n

TM for Children With Autism<\/strong>
\nAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a>, one in 88 children has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Some symptoms can be treated with medication, but many parents prefer non-drug therapies, said Kathleen Angkustsiri, MD, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician at the University of California, Davis, MIND Institute in Sacramento.<\/p>\n

Dr. Angkustsiri said she would encourage parents to discuss alternative therapies, including meditation, for their children with autism with their healthcare providers. A UC Davis MIND study<\/a> found that parents of children with autism do use alternative and complementary therapies more often than parents of children diagnosed with other developmental delays, she said.<\/p>\n

To practice Transcendental Meditation, a technique based on an ancient Indian tradition, you sit in a comfortable position with your eyes closed and silently repeat a sound or mantra that you learn from your teacher. \u201cTM allows the mind and body to automatically settle down to a state of restful alertness,\u201d said Bob Roth, executive director of the David Lynch Foundation and a longtime TM teacher.<\/p>\n

TM works well in conjunction with other medications and therapies your child may be given for treatment of autism. \u201cYour child may not need as much medication, but TM is not a replacement for medical treatment,” Roth said. “It\u2019s up to your child\u2019s doctor whether to reduce medications.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roth encouraged parents of children with autism to learn Transcendental Meditation themselves so that they can practice together. \u201cIt\u2019s a wonderful thing to share,\u201d he said, adding that just 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes after school and before dinner should result in the child being less impulsive, less likely to act out, happier, and more focused. He said that children who practice TM also will sleep better at night. \u201cSometimes I start with just 5 minutes until the child gets more comfortable with it,\u201d Roth said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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\nWatch below to see how the TM technique changed the lives of Jaxson Zimmerman and his family.
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