"Stop and just breathe for a minute": perspectives of children on the Autism Spectrum and their caregivers on a Mindfulness Group.

Researchers tested a 10-week mindfulness program with 14 autistic children to help with anxiety. While formal tests didn't show clear improvements, interviews with families revealed positive changes. Children said they felt calmer, parents noticed less anxiety, and breathing exercises and yoga were particularly helpful. Parents wanted more sessions. The group setting had both good and challenging aspects.

This feasibility study examined a 10-week group-based mindfulness intervention for 14 autistic children, using a pre-post design to measure anxiety, mindful attention, and wellbeing. While quantitative measures showed no significant differences post-intervention, qualitative interviews revealed five key themes: children reported feeling calmer, parents observed reduced anxiety, breathing and yoga techniques were helpful, parents desired more intervention, and the group format presented both challenges and benefits. The study provides preliminary insights into mindfulness applications for autistic children with anxiety, though the lack of significant quantitative outcomes suggests the need for larger, more rigorous trials.

While this mindfulness intervention showed feasibility and some subjective benefits, the lack of significant quantitative improvements suggests current protocols may need modification. The positive qualitative feedback, particularly regarding breathing and yoga techniques, could inform future intervention development for autistic children with anxiety.

Small sample size (n=14), one-group pre-post design without control group, lack of significant quantitative outcomes, limited generalizability. The study design cannot establish causality or rule out placebo effects.

Children on the autism spectrum often experience anxiety. Mindfulness is growing in popularity as a method to support children with anxiety; however, there is limited evidence on mindfulness for children on the autism spectrum. This study investigated the feasibility of a 10-week group-based mindfulness intervention for 14 children on the autism spectrum. A one-group pre-post design determined outcomes of anxiety (caregiver and child report), mindful attention, and wellbeing (child report).

Interviews explored children's and caregivers' perceptions. There were no significant differences in outcomes post-intervention. Five themes were identified from interviews: (1) Children felt calmer; (2) Parents observed differences in anxiety; (3) Breathing and yoga helped; (4) Parents wanted more; and (5) Challenges and benefits of group intervention.