Teens with Autism Make Connections through Dance

The Barber National Institute hosted a successful program that offered ballroom dancing classes for adolescents and teens with autism. Believed to be the first of its kind in the nation, Dance Connections helped participants to develop social skills and self esteem in a fun, therapeutic environment.

Pediatric neurologist Joseph Barber, MD, developed the concept of ballroom dancing for adolescents on the autism spectrum. He believes that ballroom dancing provides an opportunity to build social and communication skills that are typically a struggle for individuals on the spectrum. Ballroom dancing also helps to increase self awareness and build self esteem.

Youngsters in the program began by learning correct posturing and quickly progressed to box steps, promenades and other dance movements.

Because individuals with autism spectrum disorders face challenges of social interaction and struggle to participate in extracurricular activities, many find it difficult to initiate, develop and maintain social relationships. Ballroom dancing creates an ideal workshop for adolescents to overcome these challenges. Approaching someone and asking to dance, partnering up and maintaining physical contact, and trusting the other’s person’s movements are challenging at first but prove rewarding in the end.

The Dance Connections program was funded by a grant from the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Foundation.