News summaries for 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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Every year the students at Aer-Elite Dance choose a cause to support; this year it is autism. Their dance, entitled Missing Pieces based on a song with the same name by Mark Leland, combines dance, voice recordings of autism facts, and large brightly colored puzzle pieces with the names and photos of children with autism. One of the dancers, Natasha Barnswell, has two brothers with autism. She says the dance, music, and recordings might appear confusing, but the point was to illustrate how children with autism might see the world around them.... Read more...

Jackie Mason created Designed for Movement based on the method originated by Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais. This intervention for children with autism and other disabilities is based on the idea that movement is learned in a logical order and if that order is disrupted, then it needs to be relearned. Movement therapy is hands-on for Mason, who works to send motor messages to retrain the brain; the result is more organized movements. Designed for Movement may be used in conjunction with doctors and other therapists to increase the child's potential for independence.

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The Asha Foundation in India believes that creativity and art, dance and drama can help children with autism. Drama therapy provides children a change to be creative and interact socially without being judged. Drama therapy also can involve relaxation, dance, drumming, and music therapy. Children discover that others in their drama group can act as a support system as they learn to communicate. " The key premise on which this therapy rests is that creative art is a force that has the power to heal."

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Music therapy is only one of many "alternative" therapies finding a home in India for children with autism. Doctors are increasingly prescribing therapies that include music, dance, art, and brain gym. These treatments for autism improve communication, social interaction, balance, physical coordination, and creativity.

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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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