How Movement Therapy is revolutionising treatment for autism in children

“Through dance therapy, we come upon stepping-stones to connection and rhythms that encourage relational bonds” – Danielle Fraenkel

The roots of dance/ movement therapy can be traced to the earliest human history when disease was seen as a loss of soul, and dance was an intrinsic part of the healing ritual. Movement Therapy is one of the art therapies and works with the principles of initiating the process of bringing change for both therapists and children with autism.

The rising prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has led to a surge in the number of children needing autism interventions. Autism is a neurological disorder characterized by social communication impairments as well as the presence of stereotyped and repetitive behaviors and interests. Children with autism demonstrate social impairments such as poor social and emotional reciprocity or turn-taking and reduced eye contact during social exchanges.

Movement Therapy is an effective treatment tool for children with autism because it connects the movement strengths of this population while alleviating their impairments. Movement therapy promotes communication, social-emotional, and behavioral skills in children with Autism. There is considerable evidence from movement therapy supporting linkages between dance experiences and communication development in children with autism, typically developing children, and children with other diagnoses.

Movement and dance-based interventions have been used to enhance social skills such as eye contact, engagement, and spontaneous initiation of social interactions in children with autism. It has led to significant increases in the frequency and duration of shared positive affect and joint attention. Dance/ Movement has been used to promote emotional understanding in children with autism. Studies in autistic children provide considerable evidence for how movement facilitates the social and emotional development of individuals.

Whole-body rhythmic actions such as clapping, dancing, or grooving to music provide significant opportunities to facilitate gross motor skills. Sequential patterning is inherently present in rhythms and an effort to synchronize foot, arm, and body movements to the rhythm could promote motor coordination in children.

JOOPOP has specially designed movement therapy courses for autistic kids that involve music and dancing. We teach children with autism how to improve their motor skills, sensory functions, and other capabilities.

Our sessions include;
• Dancing to music.
• Discuss and plan different dance moves and rhythms.

These activities require the child to use their body to communicate (both verbally and nonverbally) and memorize dance moves.

BENEFITS OF MOVEMENT THERAPY:

Some of the main benefits that an autistic child will attain through movement therapy, most noteworthy, Movement therapy shows children with autism how to have fun:

• It stimulates the brain.
• This therapeutic method supports children with autism in developing communication and motor skills.
• Movement Therapy enhances autistic kids sensory processes.
• Movement therapy treats and manages behavioural problems that are associated with Autism.

MAIN PURPOSE OF MOVEMENT THERAPY:

The main purpose of movement therapy is to allow autistic kids to experience a sense of joy, happiness, fulfillment, and overall well-being. This is predominantly important for children with autism who suffer from depression and other related psychological conditions.

To find healthy ways to stimulate the brain, refine their bodily balance and coordination, build up their motor skills, and strengthen the connection between the brain and the rest of the body.

Movement therapy is a fun, unique, and engaging treatment method for minimizing and managing Autism symptoms. It will allow the child to get better at communicating, reaching their academic goals, and staying balanced when they move their body, and in other areas of their life.