By Susan Norris — Cygnet’s Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist, Broughton House

Our Occupational Therapist recently introduced a structured Yoga Intervention designed specifically for adults with severe Learning Disabilities and Autism. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), ‘yoga is a purposeful programme of physical postures, breathing, and meditation that acts as a non-invasive tool to improve overall health and reduce stress’.
 

Why Yoga?

Our residents often face challenges with motor coordination, sensory regulation (slipping into anxiety or meltdown), and focus. This programme addresses these barriers through four therapeutic pillars:

• Predictable Routine: The repetitive structure of yoga highly appeals to Autistic individuals.
• Active Calm: Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering cortisol and boosting attention.
• Physical Strength: Holding poses improves motor coordination and strengthens neural pathways.
• Mindful Focus: Concentrating on one breath at a time builds broader attention skills.
   

Tailoring the Experience

To ensure residents feel safe and supported, we adapt the environment and approach:

• Low-Stimulation Space: Sessions are held in a quiet Activity Room or the Garden to create a soothing atmosphere.
• Intimate Groups: We keep classes small (2 to 4 residents) for personalised support.
• Graded Exposure: We start with 1:1 sessions before slowly transitioning residents to larger groups.
• Adaptive Formats: We use Chair Yoga for those with limited mobility, transitioning to mat-based yoga as coordination improves.
   

What Our Support Staff Say

• "Yoga has brought a noticeable calmness to our residents and improved mobility."
• "WM is excited to go to yoga... and appears more relaxed afterwards."
• "FM often sleeps better after."
   

Measuring Real Success

To track physical and emotional progress, we set individual Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) goals for each resident. This helps us objectively monitor the program's effectiveness and tailor each session to their needs.