Taking the Work Out of Blood Work: A Parent's Guide

Belly Breathing

• Get comfortable! Lie on the floor or sit up straight.
• Put one hand on your chest and the other hand over your belly.
• Breathe in through your nose, 1..2..3..4. When you breathe in, feel your belly rise like a balloon blowing up. Watch your hand on your belly rise, while the hand on your chest stays still.
• Breathe out slowly through your nose 1..2..3..4. Feel your belly go back in, like a balloon deflating.
• Keep breathing like this a few more times.
• The more you practice…the easier it will become!

Giving your child a visual will help make practicing deep breathing more enjoyable and easier for your child to follow. This can also provide a distraction during stressful doctor’s visits.

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These materials are the product of on-going activities of the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network, a funded program of Autism Speaks. It is supported by cooperative agreement UA3 MC 11054 through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Research Program to the Massachusetts General Hospital. Website hosting, design, and maintenance provided by the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center.