The Implementation of Breathing Exercises Used to Decrease Inappropriate Behaviors in Students with Down Syndrome

Abstract

The purpose of the following study is to decrease inappropriate behaviors in students with Down syndrome through the implementation of breathing exercises in their daily schedule. Down syndrome is the most common cause of mental retardation. Individuals with Down syndrome usually display a higher amount of inappropriate behaviors than their typically developing peers. These inappropriate behaviors can be a safety concern and a disruption to the learning environment. The four breathing exercises that will be used in this study come from Dr. Bailey's book, Conscious Discipline. One reason breathing exercises are effective is because they bring more oxygen to the lungs and the brain, therefore creating more clarity, calmness, and energy for the students. Research has supported that breathing is a simple way to self-regulate one's emotions and avoid spontaneous fight or flight. Several past studies affirm breathing and other relaxation techniques have been successful at lowering stress and anxiety in addition to decreasing inappropriate behaviors within multiple settings, participants, and cognitive levels. However, there has been limited research on the effects of using breathing exercises on individuals with Down syndrome. Teaching breathing techniques, such as the ones recommended by Conscious Discipline, may be a useful tool for individuals with Down syndrome in order to help them achieve greater self-control and therefore decrease the amount of inappropriate behaviors. This research project used single-subject ABAB design to find the effects of breathing exercises decreasing targeted inappropriate behavior on three students with Down syndrome.