Dance Movement Therapy For Autism

Pushing through the sweat and tears, dance is both intense and therapeutic. Dance/movement therapy, or DMT, is usually referred to simply as dance therapy, is a type of therapy that uses movement to help individuals achieve emotional, cognitive, physical, and social integration (“Dance/Movement Therapy”). Dance Therapy allows participants to express their emotions without being judged. As therapists work with clients, a form of communication is established so clients can express themselves without being misunderstood. Dance Therapy is used in numerous locations such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and education settings. This can be used as a healthy and appropriate way of handling what the person is struggling or

Autism, or ASD, is a neurological disability which is characterized by impairments in social interactions, repetitive and restricted behaviors and communications process (“Benefits of Dance Movement Therapy for Autism”). People with autism struggle with the lack of social skills and communication, touch or physical contact, sudden environmental changes, and repetitive or recurrent behaviors (“Benefits of Dance Movement Therapy for Autism”). Dance therapy can help with all of these symptoms. During dance, one has to communicate with the teachers to figure out what move to do next and to learn how to move your body in that way to make sure they are doing the move correctly. For that reason, dance therapy helps with communication; especially for those who do not speak well or struggle with speech. Often people who suffer from autism do not like to be touched. Dance therapy can teach these people to become more comfortable around people with the practice of dance therapy because the dance therapists, or dance teachers, need to be able to move the students to help them get into the right dance move and to ensure correctness. People with autism find it difficult to adjust with sudden environmental changes and if one goes to a new place, there is environmental changes. However, in dance studios, the atmosphere is very friendly as well as encouraging and the music is calming. People with autism struggle with

Chronic pain is defined as any pain that lasts longer than six months and this can occur as a result of either a physical or mental health condition (“Chronic Pain”). Treatment for chronic pain is not always easy to find and cure. Pain management strategies might include activities like light exercise, social visits, and distractions such as hobbies and outings, while being mindful of one’s physical limitations (“Chronic Pain”). Dance therapy is a good treatment option. Before chronic pain gets to the point of depression and other things, dance therapy is a good place to start. Dance therapy can get one's mind to focus off of what pain they have at that time and their mind will be focused on them moves. Also, dance helps to get people's mind off of everything and just to focus on