24: Teaching Kids with ADHD & Autism Spectrum Disorder Calm Their Chaos through Mindfulness with Robert Cox, M.A., PLPC, NCC

In This Episode:  

Robert Cox specializes in the treatment of Trauma and Autism Spectrum Disorder and uses mindfulness extensively in his practice.  He lectures nationally on autism and works as a consultant for children’s psychiatric hospitals in the development of Autism treatment programs.  Recently, he has become the lead consultant for the creation of a special needs school for autism in Cameroon, Africa.  He also provides consultation service for parents.  His expertise is valued all around the world.

Mindfulness is really paying attention to one specific thing.  It is about being quiet long enough to create a space between the limbic region and the forebrain.

Taste can be used in mindfulness activities. This works great with kids that may not be able to understand some of the more complex tasks.  It’s important to involve all of the senses.  It’s really about teaching them to pay attention to one thing at time.

Mindfulness with kids with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder can help with focus, calm and clarity.

Robert uses mindfulness in his practice with almost all of his clients with trauma, addictions, social isolation/bullying, Autism, ADHD, and much more.  It can have a powerful impact!

Mindfulness can really have a great effect with students in the school system.

“Pain is a guaranteed part of life, but suffering doesn’t have to be.” Robert Cox

Mindfulness can help parents regulate themselves so they aren’t bouncing off of their child’s emotional state.

Robert uses Gummies, Oranges, M&Ms and such to teach help kids experience mindfulness.  It’s important to find something that is really attractive to the child so it really holds their attention.

It’s important to practice mindfulness with your kids, because they will respond to it when they need it instinctively.   It will become a learned behavior and become a functional tool.

We know from research that it “rewires” the brain, thickens the part of the brain that enables better access to greater processing abilities.

Mindfulness can help people with Reactive Attachment Disorder, RAD, because it retrains the brain.

Oxytocin is referred to as the “Hug Drug” in reference to social relations.  It helps people connect and feel love and strengthens relationships.

It’s important for parents to practice mindfulness themselves.  Teach your kids to pay attention with all of their senses.  When kids see their parents using mindfulness they are more likely to use it themselves.

The biggest challenge that people usually come up is when people try to stop the thoughts.  But, the trick is to just let the thoughts release through the breath without forcing the thoughts to stop.

Robert tells us about a technique called “Becoming the Observer” that can help people avoid the suffering.