Dancing and Arts Education

categories: art and music, Education, Recreation

Published June 19, 2009 @ 04:00PM PT

In Glendale (CA), a dance for autistic teens was organized. The purpose of the dance? It sounds from the article like the answer is "fun."

In Sherman Oaks (CA), a prom for autistic teens was organized, including dance lessons preceding it. The purpose of the prom? Fun, yes, but also learning, "Music and dance can be useful educational tools to help students acquire social skills and further develop awareness of self and others." A bit brittle that, but there are other educational benefits from the art of course. Quotes from some dance-goers:

"Prom was fun," said student Andre. "I danced all night -- now that I know the moves. Dancing allows me to express myself and it makes me feel so good. I feel like nothing can stop me while I listen to the music."

Corde, a graduating senior, expressed a sentiment that captured how many of the students felt about their dance lessons leading up to the prom, "Dancing is fun -- it's energizing. Every time I dance I feel a sudden explosion of energy and it makes me feel alive."

I am reminded of Kristina's post on the arts in autism education. An issue that is truly not confined just to autism education, but applies to education for all students. The arts are typically the first things cut from schools when money gets tight, the educational power of the arts being often underestimated. The quotes from students above are ones that any student might say, or any person really who enjoys dance, or whatever other art form makes them giddy.

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Comments (5)

But I want to go to the regular dance! Why can't I throw myself at a pretty normate girl? ("normate" is my new vocabulary word, roughly a synonym for "neurotypical")

Posted by Mark Romoser on 06/19/2009 @ 04:18PM PT
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Funny thing is that I live very close to Glendale and I hear of this story from reading this site. Interesting info

Posted by Bonnie Sayers on 06/20/2009 @ 08:13PM PT
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I have to admit, I often wonder about all these news stories I comb through--did the stories really happen? Did the reporter get the facts right? Was there actually a dance in Glendale...???

Glad that whatever the case you found the info interesting :-)

Posted by Dora Raymaker on 06/22/2009 @ 12:45PM PT
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Yes, this dance did really happen. It was run by the Foothill Autism Alliance to fill a need they saw in the community. I am a former Board Member of the FAA so I heard all about the dance. Of course, the parents there would love it if their kids could be included in the dances at their local high schools, but usually the schools are not very accomodating with support for after school activities.

Posted by Susan Brooks on 06/22/2009 @ 02:07PM PT
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@Susan, thanks for chiming in! I think there can be a lot of good in activities that are just special for us, something that often isn't acknowledged. For example, it can be a great chance for us to unwind and just be ourselves without any pressure from others, which is good for the psyche :-)

Posted by Dora Raymaker on 06/22/2009 @ 02:16PM PT
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Author

Dora is committed to improving quality of life for individuals on the autistic spectrum--including herself! She is Co-director of the Academic Autistic Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education and a member of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network's Board of Directors.