The David Lynch Foundation has partnered with Dr. David Black and the Center for Autism Assessment and Treatment to improve learning and quality of life in 30 children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) through the practice of Transcendental Meditation (TM). TM has shown well-documented results in treating many of the behaviors associated with ASDs- results that have been published in hundreds of scientific studies at more than 200 independent universities and research institutions worldwide.
Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the US, impacting 1 in 50 children. Children with ASDs are often stressed by interactions with others, and their lives characterized by anxiety, stress, depression, emotional outbursts, and sleep issues. Advocates in this field are eager to identify effective and practical solutions to offer relief and reduce associated stress, for these children and to the caregivers and families who are also impacted.
Over the past year,15 children with ASDs have learned TM with noticeable benefit. Participants reported marked reductions in anxiety and stress, increased capacity to handle the challenges of daily life and willingness to try new tasks. This project will not only provide direct relief to 30 children but also to the caregivers whose own stress will be concomitantly decreased. As it has in other populations, TM is likely to make a significant impact on these children and to their families.
In the words of one mom, "He had previously wanted to hug, finding the resulting emotions too confusing and anxiety-provoking. Shortly after starting TM, he gave me the second spontaneous hug - ever. It blew me away!" Just as TM has been found in innumerable scientific studies to be an effective treatment for many stress-related conditions, including cardiovascular disease, substance abuse, depression, PTSD, ADHD, so too do we expect it to have a tremendous benefit to people with ASDs.
