In an open space where shoes are taboo and socks are strictly optional, Vasanthi Srinivasan, surrounded by pamphlet-coated tables, talks animatedly with another presenter at the Autism Awareness Consortium held by Bridge to Learning Family Yoga.
In honor of Autism Awareness Month, the studio, located in Ashburn Shopping Plaza, hosted an awareness open house on Sunday, April 13, to — as Srinivasan says —"empower and educate the community."
The large room was comfortably packed with eager to learn community members, eager to teach presenters and just plain eager young children. With balls to play with, booklets to read and nary a frown, there was something for everyone.

"People who like baseball hang out at games, people who drink hang out at bars and people who have kids with autism spend their time helping each other out," said visitor Michael Schoenbrun.

Schoenbrun has a child on the autistic spectrum and believes events like this one really are the helping hands that parents with autistic children need. In just one room there were links to everything from testing facilities and movement therapy services to support groups.

"There was nothing like this when my child was diagnosed," said another visitor, Lisa Wieman. "Everything we found was completely by accident."

Using their connections with the autism community, Bridge to Learning Family Yoga staff brought together presenters that included Ashburn Psychological Services, GMS Institute, NOVA Neurotherapy Center, Autism Outreach, LOCO Autism Support Group and Potomac Station Autism Support Group.

"The process is so overwhelming when you start," Schoenbrun said. “Parents are the best resources. Things like this are great because these are the people that can actually help."

Another resource lies within Bridge to Learning Family Yoga itself. Srinivasan, with a Bachelors Degree in Special Education and a Masters of Education in Early Childhood Education, teaches private yoga lessons for autistic children.

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person's ability to communicate and interact with others. As a "spectrum disorder," Autism affects individuals differently and to varying degrees.

"Yoga is great for people with autism; it increases muscle tone and help with breathing can change your thoughts," Srinivasan said. "With just breathing help, a child can go from agitated to calm."

Schoenbrun's son is a student of Srinivasan, who has seen incredible improvement in his muscle tone and strength.

"My son takes private lessons here every Sunday and I've seen a great improvement," Schoenbrun said. "His stretching is better, he focuses and he uses his body more."

Bridge to Learning Family Yoga prides itself on empowering people with knowledge and wellness. They look forward to making the consortium an annual event to help with autism awareness.

"The most unknown fact about autism is autism itself," GMS Institute's Kamran Manafi said. "That's why we need events like this."
Srinivasan offers private and group yoga lessons at the Bridge to Learning Studio in Ashburn Shopping Plaza. To sign up for classes, call 703-726-0077. For more information, visit the Web site at www.bridgetolearning.net