Autism Therapy: movement therapy

definition of movement therapy: Use of dance and movement for mental and emotional health. Movement therapy is a type of psychotherapy that promotes the overall well-being of the individual as well as the social integration of the individual. Movement therapy may be practiced in many different settings: private studios, mental health settings, educational settings, etc. There are many specific types of movement therapy. For example, Integrated Movement Therapy® (IMT) uses yoga-based movement. Autism movement therapy (AMT) uses sensory integration techniques, movement, music, and Positive Behavior Support (PBS) strategies to improve speech, language, social, and academic skills specifically in people with autism.

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Early Intervention Aquatics: A Program for Children with Autism and their Families
Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, by Prupas, A., Harvey WJ, and Benjamin J., published in 2006, summarized Jan 5, 2007

The article describes important aspects of a successful preschool-age swimming program for children with autism.

The authors developed an early-intervention aquatics program known as the Aquatic Nursery Program targeted at preschool-age children with autism and their families. They have been using this program for 10 years and have found that it improved children'??s movement skills and strengthened family bonds. The authors believe this is because many children with autism can move more easily in water than in a gymnasium. Swimming also strengthened the bond between the parents and child because they had fun together during the program. The authors note that swimming also has the advantage of providing sensory input.


A Coding Scheme for the Evaluation of the Relationship in Music Therapy Lessons
Psychological Reports, by Raglio, A., Traficante D., and Oasi O., published in 2006, summarized Dec 1, 2006

Music therapists believe that music and dance help a child build his sense of self.

One of the goals in music therapy is to find a way to quantify what would normally be recorded as clinical observations. The ability to quantify a child's response to music therapy would make it easier to determine if children with autism truly respond to music therapy, and, if so, what types of music therapy are most useful for them. The authors created such a quantification system based upon their knowledge of psychoanalysis and music therapy. The Music Therapy Coding Scheme can be used to record whether children become more interactive as a result of music therapy. Unfortunately, the coding scheme is complex and time-consuming, and the authors are currently working to develop a more streamlined check-list.


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All Arts are at the Focus of the Creative Therapies Program

Jan 18, 2012

Creative Therapies is a program for kids with autism and other special needs that provides dance and art therapies. Creative Therapies is a joint venture between Pinckneyville Park Community Center and Spectrum in the Norcross Georgia area. Recreation Leader Kim Gerlach believes that the combination of dance and art will lead to better self-esteem and improve social skills. Dance can help with posture and can calm as well as stimulate youngsters. The art therapy will include clay, drawing and painting, and pottery.

Read original article: New Program Uses Art, Dance as Therapy


Group Celebrates 20 Years of Cognitive Gains for Kids with Developmental Disabilities

Nov 15, 2011

Civitan International Research Center (CIRC) and University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) have been working together for 20 years to develop cognitive solutions for a variety of disabilities including autism. CIRC has produced research that has led to programs such as Head Start. Using the research and knowledge of 83 principal investigators, CIRC is able to report on gains in helping at risk kids, its ability to adapt to the disease environment as it changes, and investigate new disorders. At the autism clinic, services include diagnostic evaluations, outpatient therapy, and social skills group. Another product of CIRC research is ACQUIREc, a form of constraint-induced movement therapy, which helps children who have central nervous system damage improve movement skills.

Read original article: Cognitive Disability Breakthroughs Continue at CIRC


Milestones in Music Certified for Autism Movement Therapy

May 18, 2011

Milestones in Music moved to a new studio in Pennsylvania, and they have been certified for Autism Movement Therapy. Judy Jones, owner of Milestones in Music, says “Music and movement is a program that helps develop children and their entire bodies: their cognitive, their physical and their emotional and social skills.” Jones believes that a steady beat is the foundation for movement, walking, even dribbling a basketball. Movement for Music believes that music helps with muscle coordination and brain stimulation; they provide instruments to help with motor skills. Children start as early as 3 months old and once they reach age 4, they begin to learn to read music and identify notes. In addition to the music and movement programs, the facility serves 1,200 kids a week in a daycare setting.

Read original article: Let the Music Move You


Autism Center in Singapore is Dedicated to Education and Training

Apr 12, 2011

St. Andrew’s Autism Centre (SAAC) moved to its new location – a 15-block compound of facilities. SAAC offers a day school and day activity center. Therapies include a daily-living apartment for living skills, hydrotherapy pool, art, music, and dance. The center services people with autism ranging in age from 7 to 55. The maximum capacity is 400 clients, but currently they serve just over 100 students and adults.

Read original article: New Centre Aims to be Hub for Autistic Care


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Please comment on this autism topic.

Responding to movement therapy

Mar 15, 2011 by Anonymous

Please consider an outstanding movement exercise that works

the whole body which is riding a horse.  My hope is that some

day Autism Movement Therapy(Music & Dance)  well do a demonstration

at a therapeutic riding center where several movement rhythm therapies

can come "Together" for the benefit of the student.

Thanks, Phil Waigand "THE BEAT"(Heart Hoof Drum)  Arlington, TX  


Dance/movement therapy and autism

Nov 24, 2010 by Anonymous

The following links are beautiful photos, video and article on dance/movement therapy and autism.


http://alb.merlinone.net/mweb/wmsql.wm.request?oneimage&imageid=12467645

http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/In-photos-In-movement-autistic-boy-finds-joy-719281.php

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid33238197001?bctid=642996337001


Music dance

Mar 8, 2010 by john-smith

I have good news for you, Richie and others, inquiring about the use of dance/movement therapy with autistic individuals. I am a dance therapist in Austin TX and there is plenty of valuable use of dance, movement and rhythm for individuals with autism. The concepts are that a person is not merely his/her brain; obviously we are connected through mind, body, and spirit. Therefore if a person can connect with another through movement, then behavioral and cognitive change can result if the neurological patterns are stimulated through dance and movement. Of course, dance is a form of self-expression and release, as well. Engaging in dance and movement can help in that manner, whether it is dancing with the therapist or creating a form of self-expression and having the therapist guide the movement patterns into another shape, rhythm, or form to encourage a different behavior or thought process. Btw It's really nice to discuss with you. I am happy but now I am collecting the php for my friends and other persons. Because I my aim to provide best and knowledgeable material. And I hope you will also like and help me to continue this


Movement Therapy

Aug 10, 2009 by Anonymous

Autism Movement Therapy, Inc. is a nonprofit organization focused on serving the autism community by supporting autism research Dr Martha Herbert PhD, TRANSCEND RESEARCH PROGRAM - Mass General Hospital for Children) & environmental organizations The Natural Resources Defense Council & the Environmental Defense Action Fund helping to "clean/green" our planet.

Because Autism is ALL our Responsibility! 

AMT is an autism intervention incorporating movement and music in collaboration with Positive Behavior Support (PBS) strategies to assist individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in meeting and achieving their speech and language, social and academic IEP goals.

Here is an article that appeared in Autism Aspergers Digest about AMT.

You can order the aut-erobics DVD! 

Joanne Lara, MA is the founder.


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Please comment on movement therapy or other autism therapy topics.

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    • Synonyms for movement therapy include: ballet, dance, dance therapy, REI, rhythmic entrainment intervention, rhythmic entrainment interventions (REI)
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