Some South Florida children with autism are finding refuge from loud noises, bright lights and stress by learning a new technique to calm themselves: yoga.
A Pompano Beach yoga teacher, Louise Goldberg, has published a new book that documents what she has learned teaching in several South Florida programs for kids with disabilities and has offered in workshops to 100 Florida teachers.
“Yoga Therapy for Children with Autism and Special Needs,” published this month by W.W. Norton & Company, offers ways to present the poses and strategies for structuring a successful class.
For the past three years, Goldberg has taught yoga to children in the autism program at Coconut Creek Elementary School. She has developed a variety of approaches for finding a pleasing pose for each disabled child she encounters.
“It’s important to be consistent but not confrontational,” said Goldberg, 63, who has taught children and adults since 1981. “Every child is different, and every day is different. The best part is you can’t do yoga wrong.”
