A Pilot Study on a Mindfulness Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

A Pilot Study on a Mindfulness Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Publisher:

Published: 2020

Total Pages: 32

ISBN-13:

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This project explores the effects of a mindfulness intervention on children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in an occupational therapy setting, as well as explores the attitudes of student occupational therapists on the treatment acceptability for mindfulness interventions in occupational therapy. This paper discusses the current research in mindfulness and explores how it may have an impact on children with ASD, and in particular, within the field of occupational therapy. This project was made up of two components and took place at James Madison University's Inter-Professional Autism Clinic (IPAC) over the course of three weeks. The first component was an investigation of the impact of a mindfulness intervention on two children with ASD enrolled in IPAC. This involved collecting data on the behaviors of two children during the mindfulness intervention implemented during their occupational therapy sessions. The second component of this project examined therapist acceptability and satisfaction of the mindfulness intervention implemented by two Level I OT graduate student therapists. This was achieved by collecting survey data on the student therapists before and after implementing the mindfulness intervention. The researcher predicted that frequency of behaviors such as outbursts and number of verbal prompts required to complete a task would decrease for the child participants over sessions. The researcher predicted that the student therapists would have a general acceptability of mindfulness as a therapeutic activity after administering the mindfulness intervention. The researchers concluded that the child participants each showed improvements in the trends of their challenging behaviors, and the student therapists accepted mindfulness interventions as a therapeutic activity in an OT setting. The results indicate that future research is necessary to provide more specific evidence for the effectiveness of mindfulness interventions for children with ASD and the treatment acceptability of mindfulness in the field of occupational therapy.


A Mindfulness Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

A Mindfulness Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Author: Yoon-Suk Hwang

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2015-09-03

Total Pages: 155

ISBN-13: 331918962X

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This book presents emerging research on the effectiveness of mindfulness methods in reducing behavior problems associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children. The volume synthesizes current research and theories on the therapeutic uses of mindfulness, specifically for people living with developmental disabilities. In addition, it examines a promising new study in which mothers of children with ASD learn mindfulness techniques for their own use and are then trained to teach the methods to their children. The book concludes with a report of poststudy findings and a discussion of practical and methodological issues regarding mindfulness interventions for ASD. Featured topics include: A genealogy of mindfulness, from original Buddhist texts to modern health applications. Implications for further research and advancement. Appendices of basic mindfulness exercises and activities. A Mindfulness Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders is a concise resource for researchers, clinicians and other scientist-practitioners, and graduate students in developmental psychology, social work, education, and related disciplines.


Stop. Breathe. Be. A Pilot Study Examining Mindfulness Training to Improve the Socioemotional Wellbeing of Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Stop. Breathe. Be. A Pilot Study Examining Mindfulness Training to Improve the Socioemotional Wellbeing of Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Author: Katherine Thom

Publisher:

Published: 2016

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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Adolescence is challenging time for youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who generally exhibit a myriad of psychosocial difficulties. While this developmental period represents an important window for intervention, few evidence-based programs exist. Recent research suggests that interventions targeting emotion regulation (ER) skill deficits in ASD may represent a promising approach to promoting more favourable outcomes for these youth (Mazefsky et al., 2014). Nurturing mindfulness has been shown to be an effective means of improving ER and wellbeing in diverse child and adult populations, although research in ASD is limited. This pilot study evaluated the impact of a 9-week mindfulness intervention on the ER and socioemotional functioning of 14 adolescents (13-17 years) with high functioning ASD using a pre-test post-test design. Parents reported statistically significant changes of small to medium effect size in adolescents' overall problem behaviours and social skills, ER, adaptability, hyperactivity, and withdrawal behaviours. Additionally, parents reported changes of small effect size that approached significance for adolescents' anxiety symptoms and atypicality. Adolescents reported changes of small effect size that were statistically significant for anxiety symptoms and interpersonal functioning, and non-significant for depression and social stress symptoms. Changes in many parent-reported outcome variables showed moderate to strong correlations with home practice adherence and parent-reported changes in ER. Qualitative observations of program impact and social acceptability were positive and supported the quantitative findings. The results provide promising evidence for mindfulness training with youth with ASD. Implications for assessment, intervention, and future research are discussed.


Mindful Parenting

Mindful Parenting

Author: Susan Bögels

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-09-18

Total Pages: 338

ISBN-13: 146147406X

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Despite its inherent joys, the challenges of parenting can produce considerable stress. These challenges multiply—and the quality of parenting suffers—when a parent or child has mental health issues, or when parents are in conflict. Even under optimal circumstances, the constant changes as children develop can tax parents' inner resources, often undoing the best intentions and parenting courses. Mindful Parenting: A Guide for Mental Health Practitioners offers an evidence-based, eight week structured mindfulness training program for parents with lasting benefits for parents and their children. Designed for use in mental health contexts, its methods are effective whether parents or children have behavioral or emotional issues. The program's eight sessions focus on mindfulness-oriented skills for parents, such as responding to (as opposed to reacting to) parenting stress, handling conflict with children or partners, fostering empathy, and setting limits. The book dovetails with other clinical mindfulness approaches, and is written clearly and accessibly so that professionals can learn the material easily and impart it to clients. Featured in the text: Detailed theoretical, clinical, and empirical foundations of the program. The complete Mindful Parenting manual with guidelines for eight sessions and a follow-up. Handouts and assignments for each session. Findings from clinical trials of the Mindful Parenting program. Perspectives from parents who have finished the course. Its clinical focus and empirical support make Mindful Parenting an invaluable tool for practitioners and clinicians in child, school, and family psychology, psychotherapy/counseling, psychiatry, social work, and developmental psychology.


The Effect of Mindfulness Practice on an Adolescent Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Anxiety

The Effect of Mindfulness Practice on an Adolescent Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Anxiety

Author: Brittany J. Marciniak

Publisher:

Published: 2016

Total Pages: 79

ISBN-13:

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The intent of this pilot study was to examine the effect of mindfulness practice on an adolescent diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and anxiety, who engages in stereotypic pacing. An individual who engages in a stereotypy, often does so due to experiencing anxiety. Although engaging in a stereotypy often results in a decrease in anxiety, it is not regarded as appropriate in most situations such as school or work. The stereotypic behavior can last from minutes to hours, interfering with life quality. Specifically, this study focused on the frequency and duration of episodes of pacing. Behavior was examined between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and midnight in the adolescent's home. The intervention of mindfulness practice, facilitated by the parent, occurred at 9:00 p.m., 5 days a week. The researcher hypothesized that practicing mindfulness in 20- minute sessions every day, would decrease the frequency and duration of pacing. The intervention yielded moderately positive results. Suggested future research is to implement a longer intervention with the eventual goal of incorporating mindfulness practice into a classroom setting.


The Ziggurat Model

The Ziggurat Model

Author: Ruth Aspy

Publisher: AAPC Publishing

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 450

ISBN-13: 9781934575949

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This book presents a process and framework for designing interventions for individuals of all ages with ASD, while staying consistent with current trends in education, including response to intervention (RTI), evidence-based practices, and positive behavioral supports.


School-based Mindfulness Intervention for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

School-based Mindfulness Intervention for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2019

Total Pages: 81

ISBN-13:

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The symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have large impacts on the emotional (Samson et al., 2014; Strang et al., 2012) and behavioral (Mayes et al, 2012; Hill et al, 2014; Jahromi, Meek, & Ober-Reynolds, 2012) functioning of children and adolescents diagnosed with the disorder. The difficulties with emotional and behavioral functioning in students with ASD can drastically decrease their academic achievement compared to neuro-typical peers (Ashburner, Ziviani, & Rodger, 2010). Introducing students with ASD to mindfulness may help decrease the frequency of a challenging behavior in the classroom, increase mindfulness, and increase mood and positivity. How mindfulness interventions have benefited children diagnosed with ASD in previous studies will be described. The results of a current mindfulness intervention program delivered to two students will be shared.


Mindfulness-based Interventions with Children and Adolescents

Mindfulness-based Interventions with Children and Adolescents

Author: Nirbhay Singh

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2020-12-13

Total Pages: 229

ISBN-13: 1317190777

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This book comprehensively reviews mindfulness-based interventions for specific areas of functioning in children and adolescents, with refreshing insights and perspectives. Based on a solid foundation of research and practice, it presents the nature of mindfulness, examines the psychological processes that may underlie mindfulness, and explores how to assess it. Mindfulness is about how we can be attentive to and present for everything that happens in our daily lives. This book draws upon current research in the field in order to explore topics such as the fundamentals of teaching mindfulness to children and adolescents; assessment of mindfulness in this population; use of mindfulness in educational settings; and clinical applications in mental health, including substance abuse, hyperactivity, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. With contributions from internationally-renowned clinicians and scholars, this book provides a balanced account of the strengths and weaknesses of current research, and how mindfulness-based programs can be used to enhance wellbeing and reduce suffering. This book will be of great interest for academics, scholars and post graduate students involved in the study of the mental health of children and adolescents. It will also appeal to psychologists, psychiatrist, nurses, social workers, rehabilitation therapists and others, such as school counsellors, who provide clinical care to children and adolescents.


Mindful Learning

Mindful Learning

Author: Dr Craig Hassed

Publisher: Exisle Publishing

Published: 2014-01-10

Total Pages: 270

ISBN-13: 177559131X

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Mindfulness is increasingly being used in educational environments as a proven way to help students: • learn more effectively • develop personally • enhance their physical and emotional health, and • deal with study and exam-related demands. Written by two leading experts with many years of personal and clinical experience, Mindful Learning provides practical insights and exercises on how to apply mindfulness in any educational setting. The result is a book that clearly sets out how you can: • manage stress • improve performance • enhance communication • develop more meaningful relationships • unlock creativity • improve mental flexibility and problem-solving ability, and • use technology wisely. Whatever your age, whatever your learning environment, mindfulness can make a positive difference, and Mindful Learning shows you how.


Mindfulness-Based Intervention Research

Mindfulness-Based Intervention Research

Author: Christian U. Krägeloh

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2019-04-12

Total Pages: 310

ISBN-13: 1134793820

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This book provides an outline and critical discussion of the characteristics of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) research. Since the first reports on the use of mindfulness practices in health interventions, a large body of research literature has emerged to document the effectiveness of MBIs for reducing psychological distress and to increase well-being. The integration of mindfulness into very diverse psychological theories makes it a unique concept in psychology that has generated a large amount of interest both in academic research but also the broader media. With this growing literature, mindfulness researchers have also recognised the need to be more critical of its developments, such as how MBIs are presented to the public or what types of research methods are used to test claims of an MBI’s effectiveness. This book examines the large variety of approaches in which MBIs have been studied, including an outline of the philosophical underpinnings of MBI research, definition and measurement of mindfulness, the use of qualitative and quantitative research methods, research design, and research that addresses cultural and religious factors. The book contributes to increased awareness of the current direction of MBI research and thus seeks to contribute to further methodological refinement and sophistication of the research field. This book on the characteristics of research on MBIs is a must read for any researcher or practitioner interested in this fascinating topic.