For children with autism especially, dance/movement therapy can offer great benefits as it accommodates both nonverbal and semi-verbal autistic children.
Many kids find freedom in dance they can't find elsewhere. With the daily challenges children with autism face, finding freedom with movement might be the perfect tool to help your child be themselves without pressure from the outside world.
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized as a neurodevelopmental disorder with stereotyped and repetitive behaviors. Dance practice can elicit esthesia to stimulate the communication process through the notion of the phenomenal body that is recognized in an expressive and symbolic space.
First of all, children with ASD seem to enjoy musical experiences because they are often “good at it”. This isn't just pertaining to musical savants, which is a less common occurrence. Current findings do show that children with ASD perform better at certain musical skills than typical children.
Often children with autism can sing much better than they can speak. Even totally nonverbal children will hum or babble along with the music. One of the first times my youngest used any sounds or words was in the car singing along with my Duran Duran, Adam Ant CDs along with other 1980s music.
Early signs of autism can be detected in babies by playing peek-a-boo, research has shown. If their brains respond less than they should to the stimulating game they are more likely to be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as toddlers.
Although this can sometimes feel challenging, it is important to recognize three very simple factors that every person with ASD needs: safety, acceptance and a sense of competence.
Stimming – or self-stimulatory behaviour – is repetitive or unusual body movement or noises. Stimming might include: hand and finger mannerisms – for example, finger-flicking and hand-flapping. unusual body movements – for example, rocking back and forth while sitting or standing.
Autistic children enjoy play and learn through play, just as typically developing children do. Through playing with others, your child can learn and practise new social skills and abilities. These skills are important for your child's overall development.
However, they look up to the mother or caregiver for social referencing and hover around or cling to the caregiver. Children with an ASD are not vigilant and do not look up to the caregiver for social referencing. They may not cling to the caregiver, although go up to them for succor.
Many children with autism love to jump and bounce.
TV and Videos Can Open the World to A Child
Many children on the autism spectrum are fascinated by animals, trains, or other aspects of the real world. Selected TV and videos, such as "Animal Planet" and the "Eye Witness" videos can build on those interests.
Savants with autism typically show amazing skill within one or more general ability domains. Mathematical, artistic, musical, spatial and mechanical abilities are most common. Most savants have a single skills but some have been reported to have more than one.
The study brings hope to those parents who worry that children who are not talking by age 4 or 5 are unlikely to develop speech at all. Some children with ASD develop meaningful language after age 5. "There is a burst of kids in the 6- to 7- age range who do get language," Dr. Wodka said.
excited – some children with ASD might flap their hands when they're excited. Typically developing children stim too, such as when a child jumps up and down in excitement.
Restricted and repetitive behaviors
They can include: Repetitive body movements (e.g. rocking, flapping, spinning, running back and forth) Repetitive motions with objects (e.g. spinning wheels, shaking sticks, flipping levers) Staring at lights or spinning objects.
Social behavior and social understanding
Basic social interaction can be difficult for children with autism spectrum disorders. Symptoms may include: Unusual or inappropriate body language, gestures, and facial expressions (e.g. avoiding eye contact or using facial expressions that don't match what they are saying).
A child with ASD can be challenging—they may be restless; have trouble sleeping, eating or speaking; experience seizures; or have meltdowns born of frustration or overstimulation. Expectations for a “normal” life may need to be adjusted.
Having an extraordinarily good memory (being able to remember facts for a long period of time). Being precise and detail orientated. Exceptional honesty and reliability. Being dependable in regards to schedules and routines.
When Does Autism Get Easier? A new study found that around 30% of young autistic children have less severe symptoms at age 6 than they did at age 3. Interestingly, some children lose their autism diagnoses entirely.
Social interaction and communication
not consistently respond to their name being called. not consistently use gestures on their own – for example, they might not wave bye-bye or clap without being asked to, or they might not nod for yes or shake their head for no.
Many children who have autism have great difficulty breaking long-established routines – in this case using a diaper. Plus, there are relatively few opportunities to practice toileting during the day, as there are only so many times a child genuinely needs “to go.”
It is common for some children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to have very limited play skills. This can mean that a child plays with only a few toys, plays in a repetitive way or doesn't play with toys the way most kids do.