Abstract:

Children with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are mainly characterized with difficulties developing social skills and understanding the behavioral norms expected of them. They struggle with decoding communication patterns and with developing social awareness towards the people around them (APA, 2013). As the process of mainstreaming widens, and many of the children with ASD are integrated in regular schools, the focus of their teachings is put on social and academic skills, relevant for school life, but not enough for the day-to-day function in the community (Reiter, 2008).

This case study emphasizes the development of emotional and social awareness, self-expression, and the understanding of ones’ personal space. All these skills are essential for all people in order to develop a meaningful and effective integration in society. Therefore, the social mediation that focuses on the improvement of such skills becomes even more crucial for children with ASD (Dindar, 2017).

This study was developed after recognizing the importance of the humanistic approach. This approach challenged the society to look for, and to develop, a variety of opportunities to include people with ASD by emphasizing their strengths (WHO, 2001; Reiter, 2008). Dance had initially evolved from the human need for communication and self-expression, which are significant challenges for people which their deficiency lays mostly on difficulties with those skills. Nevertheless, dancing allows for diverse and creative ways for structuring communication (Mackrell, 2020; Warbuton, 2019). Hence, although it may seem to be a paradox, dancing has been chosen as the basis for this unique study.

The intervention procedure was based on the principals of dance instruction, in a program developed specifically for this research. The program included 10 dance lessons in the hip-hop style, with the aim of developing communicational and social skills among adolescents with ASD. Sessions were video tapes and later analyzed by the principals of an open observation analysis.

From the video analysis it is clear that it is possible to base the development processes of expression and communication awareness of adolescents with ASD on the principals of dance instructions. Therefore, the researchers are recommending incorporating dance instructions through varied educational programs for learners with special needs.

References:
[1] American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
[2] Dindar, K. (2017). Researching social interaction in Autism: shifting the focus from´ within individuals´ to´ in interaction´ (Doctoral dissertation). University of Eastern Finland.
[3] Mackrell, J. R. (2020, November 19). Dance. In Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/art/dance
[4] Reiter, S. (2008). Disability from a humanistic perspective: Toward better quality of life. Nova Biomedical Books.
[5] Warburton, E. C. (2019). Dance pedagogy. In S. Dodds (Ed.), The Bloomsbury companion to dance studies (pp.3–110). Bloomsbury Publishing.
[6] World Health Organization. (2001). The international classification of functioning, disability and health. Author.

Keywords:

Autism Spectrum disorder, Dance, Body-expression, communication skills.