Learning self expression through dance; a case study of adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

ABSTRACT

Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) typically have difficulties developing social skills and understanding the behavioral norms expected of them. As mainstreaming continues to expand, and many adolescents with ASD are integrated into regular schools, their education focuses on social and academic skills relevant for school life, but these are not sufficient for day-to-day functioning in the community. This case study emphasizes the development of emotional and social awareness, self-expression, and understanding of ones’ personal space – all essential for effective integration in society. The study was developed in light of the humanistic approach, which challenges society to create opportunities to integrate people with ASD by emphasizing their skills and strengths. The intervention procedure was based on dance instruction principles in a program developed specifically for this research: ten hip-hop styled dance lessons, designed to improve communication and social skills among adolescents with ASD. Sessions were videotaped and later analyzed according to the principles of open observation analysis. The video analysis clearly shows that it is possible to improve expression and communication awareness of adolescents with ASD using principles of dance instruction. Thus, the researchers recommend incorporating dance instruction in educational programs for learners with varied special needs.

KEYWORDS:

• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• dance
• body-expression
• communication skills

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Yael Barak-Levy

Dr. Yael Barak Levy, Head of department of early childhood, Achva Academic College. An educational adviser and researcher within the field of developmental and educational psychology. Main research subjects include parental stress and parental sensitivity in families of children with complex disabilities, focusing on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Another area of research is creation and assessment of specialized programs for the mainstreaming of children with special needs in regular schools, with specific focus on parental, child, and educational attitudes.

Heidi Flavian

Dr. Heidi Flavian is a senior lecturer and a researcher in the Special Education department at Achva Academic College in Israel. She is also a senior lecturer in the International Team in the Feuerstein Institute since 2002, and was the LC of NW11 of ECER/EERA during 2016-2021. Recently, her books Mediation and Thinking Development in Schools (2019), and the one she edited From Pedagogy to Quality Assurance in Education (2020) were published. Her main areas of research and publishing are teacher education, mediation, inclusion, developing thinking processes among students, and teaching students with special needs.