Researching the impact of South Asian dance on autistic children

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the potential impact of dance classes informed by practices including Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Bollywood and Yoga on communication, expression and creativity in autistic young people.

Literature review: Autism can be classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder which can impact upon a child’s development including cognitive, social and adaptive skills. Dance can be a useful tool in helping to manage symptoms and improve social interactions and communication in a cost-effective way. While the majority of research in this area focuses on dance therapy, there is a lack of research focusing on potential benefits of other dance forms outside the western canon.

Methods: The study was approved by the University of Middlesex ethics committee and all participants completed a detailed consent form. A multimodal, co-created research design was selected incorporating teachers, learners, parents and dance artists. Learners participated in small group or 1-2-1 dance sessions for approximately 10-15 mins per week. The project utilized dance artist feedback, the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire for parents (SDQ P4-17) and teachers (SDQ T4-17), curriculum progress, and video observations looking at changes in movement quality, interaction and engagement. This project is part of an ongoing longitudinal study. The following reflects findings from initial case study analysis between January and April 2024.

Results and Discussion: Due to the highly individualized nature of autism, group analysis of the impact of a dance intervention would not be appropriate. Instead, each learner was considered at an individual level. Initial analysis demonstrated improvements for many learners in motor control and coordination, use of space, ability to fully extend limbs, and to carry out movement independently. While improvements were noted in engagement and focus, this was dependent on the day and other personal contextual and environmental factors that are not possible to control for.

Conclusion: This research echoes calls for a person-centered approach to research and intervention design in the dance for health context. Further longitudinal studies are required to understand the long-term impacts of these interventions and potential to generalize these dance skills to other aspects of school and home life.

About this session