Mindfulness and Autism/Neurodiversity
If you have a mind, however it works, Mindfulness is a practice that has much to offer. Ancient in origin it has been proven, by modern research, to support wellbeing in many ways. In particular it is now taught as a technique for addressing anxiety and depression in many settings.
Anxiety and depression are often prevalent among people who identify as autistic, neurodivergent or as having Aspergers. Mindfulness has proven to be helpful and empowering for members of this group.
The issue to date has been that Mindfulness is often not taught in a way that is most useful for people who identify as Neurodiverse. There are, however, teachers, books and resources that exist, or are emerging, that aim to make Mindfulness more accessible to this group.
On this web page you will find links and resources to explore.
Bob Chase is the resident Mindfulness Teacher at St Benet’s Chaplaincy. He has experience of working with and teaching meditation to people with autism. If you would like to ask Bob any questions or discuss coming on one the sessions or courses please feel free to contact him via Ella Sharples.
Autism Informed (Audio) Guided Mindfulness Practices
There are few freely available online resources that are specifically designed to be accessible. To her credit Sue Hutton has created, to my knowledge, some of the only internet available guided practices.
These are links to series of audio guided mindfulness practices available on YouTube.
They were co-created by Sue Hutton with Daniel Share-Strom and Maxine Share from Autism Goggles. They have been tested with young people and adults with Autism as part of research project led by Dr Yona Lunsky of the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre (Ontario, Canada)
Please feel free to experiment with these practices. Comments and feedback welcome
- About Autism-Informed Mindfulness – https://youtu.be/hj-K8br6TFg
- Figure 8 Breath Meditation – https://youtu.be/hj-K8br6TFg
- Body Scan (Intro) – https://youtu.be/cAdm6qAdwxQ
- Body Scan Meditation https://youtu.be/MKJU5kE3a60
- Watching My Thoughts (Intro) https://youtu.be/0B6JAWPRZoY
- Watching My Thoughts Meditation – https://youtu.be/qYt_Dus98ac
- Progressive Relaxation Meditation https://youtu.be/8JRv87bvK3w
- Hand Breath Meditation https://youtu.be/VHm50HWIXwE
- Lotus Breath Meditation https://youtu.be/053GzGgrFik
- Ocean Breath Meditation https://youtu.be/imOPotZytAc
- Kindness Meditation https://youtu.be/aZ1LHWvhHGs
Links
Neurodiversity in Mindfulness: This is a website and forum for Mindfulness teachers and people autism https://neurodiversityinmindfulness.org.uk/
Articles
Learning to Celebrate Neurodiversity in Mindfulness
Developing more inclusive teaching practices can go a long way to making mindfulness accessible, especially for communities of Neurodiversity.
It’s never anyone’s fault when mindfulness doesn’t work for them. They were just not taught mindfulness in an accessible, inclusive way that considers any unique needs.
Author, Sue Hutton, Published in Mindfulness Magazine October 8 2020
3 Mindfulness Practices for Neurodiverse Meditators
We don’t all meditate the same way—nor do we need to. Sue Hutton offers helpful tips and practices, informed by the autism community, to make mindfulness practice truly accessible.
Author, Sue Hutton, Published in Mindfulness Magazine October 13 2020
Books
Meditation for Aspies: Everyday Techniques to Help People with Asperger Syndrome Take Control and Improve their Lives by Ulrike Domenika Bolls (2013)
Asperger’s Syndrome and Mindfulness: Taking Refuge in the Buddha by Chris Mitchell (2008)
“Mindfulness in adults with autism: a guide for care providers and people with ASD” (Dutch Language) by Annelies Spek (2010)
Mindful Living with Asperger’s Syndrome: Everyday Mindfulness Practices to Help You Tune in to the Present Moment by Chris Mitchell (2013)
Unclouded by Longing: Meditations on Autism and Being Present in an Overwhelming World by Christopher Goodchild. Foreword by Thomas Moore (2017)
A Mindfulness Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: New Directions in Research and Practice (Mindfulness in Behavioural Health) by Yoon-Suk Hwang and Patrick Kearney (2016)
Websites
Sue Hutton (mindfulness teacher in Canada) “I’ve taught mindfulness in developmental services, in the education system, in cancer care services, and in the prison system. I also lead clinical groups with autistic adults and their caregivers for research in mindfulness for neurodevelopmental disabilities.”