According to an article in Dallas News Feb. 9, 2010, yoga can help calm, improve the attention span, and improve balance, strength and self control of children with downs syndrome, autism and other special needs.

The article interviewed Lynn Silberman, a woman who offers a yoga program for special-needs kids in the Dallas area. She said that all kids need exercise, but often children with special needs are not coordinated enough or fast enough to participate in organized sports.
 
In a yoga class, she suggested that special needs kids can flourish.

The class teaches the children to stretch, breath, and focus, but unlike most adult yoga classes, the class is interactive and encourages the children to talk and participate.