Zen With Jen: Yoga for children with ASD, Down Syndrome and ADHD
By Geraldine Fitzgerald
The benefits of yoga as a therapeutic tool have practically become the stuff of legends.
In a high-stress, utterly over- stimulated world, calm in the new black and the most content of folk credit regular practice of yoga. Medical professionals now recommend it for just about everybody.
Cork teacher Jennifer Ormand works with children with Autism Sensory Disorder (ASD) and has just launched her own set of specialised yoga classes delightfully titled ZenWithJen.
With a BA in Montessori Education and 12 years in the education sector, nationally and internationally, Jennifer has spent the last several years working with children with autism.
After completing an intensive course in yoga therapy for children with additional needs in association with Yoga Therapy Ireland, she found the practice so effective in her own classrooms that she launched yoga classes especially for children with ASD, Down Syndrome and ADHD.
“My role as a class teacher and home tutor is to provide the children with the necessary skills to improve their academic, physical, social and intellectual development”, said Jen, “and each morning in school we start our day with some OT exercise or yoga.”
“The kids really love it and it sets them up for the day ahead. Incorporating yoga and mindfulness into their daily schedule can benefit their physical, mental and social development, and I find it such a useful tool to help calm and regulate the children in my class.”
Her ZenWithJen classes, starting on 14 February, will specialize in sensory play, yoga therapy and mindfulness for children with ASD and additional needs.
“I actually started ZenWithJen less than a year ago in the hopes of sharing tips and yoga techniques to parents and teachers to aid children with additional needs in the classroom and at home. I decided this year that I wanted to start one- to- one classes, so I chose Kinsale as my location.”
The classes will run every Monday afternoon at the Kinsale Health and Wellness Centre. “I’ll be offering these one-to-one classes, lasting about 30 minutes each, for four weeks,” said Jen, “and if parents would like to continue the sessions we’ll continue from there. I’m very passionate about working with children with ASD and I can’t wait to start my new venture!”