Qigong Massage for Your Child with Autism A Home Program from Chinese Medicine Louisa Silva Foreword by Dr. Anita Cignolini Qigong massage has been used in China for thousands of years as a means to achieve health and wellbeing, and to treat a wide variety of ailments. This book teaches parents a simple qigong massage programme that has been developed specifically for the needs of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). With step-by-step instructions and an accompanying DVD demonstrating the technique in action, this book offers parents clear guidance on how to adopt qigong massage into their child's daily routine successfully. The program is based around a core 15 minute massage that, when performed regularly, has been shown to greatly improve mood and behavior, sleeping patterns, and language and social skills. Also included is information on diet, advice on reading a child's body language during massage, and helpful progress checklists. Qigong massage is the ideal therapy for parents looking for an alternative way to strengthen the mind, body and sensory abilities of their young child with autism aged 6 and under. Contents Foreword by Dr. Anita Cignolini. Preface: Welcome! Introduction: Making the Most of This Book. 1. An Eastern Explanation and Treatment for Autism. 2. Is the QST Home Program Right for You and Your Child? 3. Getting Ready to Give the Home Program. 4. The Massage. 5. The 12 Movements and Your Child's Body Language. 6. Troubleshooting. 7. Extra Techniques to Help Your Child Get Through the Day. 8. The Healing Process: What to Expect. 9. Understanding Toxicity in Children with Autism: - Prevention. 10. A Diet for Children with Autism. 11. Your Child's Program After the First Five Months. Appendix A: Movement Troubleshooting Checklist. Appendix B: Sensory and Self-Regulation Checklist. Appendix C: My Child's Developmental Milestones. Appendix D: Parent Stress Index. About the Author. Additional Resources. DVD/Movement Chart Inside Back Cover. Important Changes to Look For. Index. Reviews 'Complete with step-by-step instructions and an accompanying DVD with visual demonstrations, Qigong Massage for Your Child with Autism takes a relatively unconventional practice and provides a practical tool for parents and caregivers. Backed by multiple studies and developed by the director of the Qigong Sensory Training Institute, the book will give parents the confidence to embark on a new practice that will hopefully make for happier, healthier families... Silva excels at keeping her message realistic and never loses sight of the fact that she's addressing actual parents. She clearly lays out expectations for and limitations of the program, and provides the necessary tools to track progress and behavioral changes. She refutes skeptics by simply saying "seeing is believing," instilling the confidence so vital for motivating parents to stick with the program. The difficulties of having an autistic child and parenting in general are openly acknowledged without judgment, and she offers a truly empathetic, yet encouraging voice...The book's structure also seems to be designed for parents, with the intention that they can easily pick up the book and find what help they're looking for, as common troubles and solutions are reiterated in multiple chapters... Educational, realistic, and reassuring, Qigong Massage for Your Child with Autism offers parents a non-invasive, prescription-free supplement to managing autism, and with further studies being conducted now about the effects of qigong on children with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome, tradition Chinese medicine will hopefully become helpful to an even wider population.' - Foreword Reviews 'If you have an autistic child, Dr. Louisa Silva's Qigong Massage for Your Child with Autism probably is the best gift that you can give to both him and yourself.' - Examiner.com 'In her book, Dr. Silva uses plain English to explain why and how the QST program works. There are 12 movements in the massage routine. Dr. Silva gives very clear instruction with illustrations for each one. Each child is different, so is his condition. She provides troubleshooting guidance and a check list. She offers extra techniques for transitioning. She lays out the details of the healing process, so parents can have proper expectation. The best part of this book is that it also comes with a DVD.' - Examiner.com 'Complete with step-by-step instructions and an accompanying DVD with visual demonstrations, Qigong Massage for Your Child with Autism takes a relatively unconventional practice and provides a practical tool for parents and caregivers. Backed by multiple studies and developed by the director of the Qigong Sensory Training Institute, the book will give parents the confidence to embark on a new practice that will hopefully make for happier, healthier families.' - ForeWord Magazine Author information Louisa Silva has a medical degree from the University of California, a Masters in Public Health from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and is a fellow of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. She practices medicine in a way that integrates Chinese Medicine with preventive medicine and public health. She is director of the Qigong Sensory Training Institute, Oregon, where she has completed multiple research studies into the effects of qigong massage on young children with autism.