| Dancing with autistic children teaches them | | | | with them, by teaching them steps, singing, |
| rhythm, exercise, movement and most of all will | | | | dancing, being creative with costumes or fun |
| encourage them to climb out of their isolated | | | | painted faces, using hats, and props. |
| world where it is a challenge for them to | | | | It is exciting for autistic children to see and hear a |
| communicate and socialize. Rhythm dancing to | | | | person play the piano for rhythm and dancing. |
| music will enable children with autism, to | | | | Singing, using a tape recorder, watching a video |
| communicate to peers, help with motor skills, | | | | with dancing on it, playing a musical instrument, |
| teach them to follow instructions, and keep time | | | | for example a flute, guitar, or clarinet is excellent, |
| to the music. | | | | to acquaint the children to new ideas, and sounds. |
| Most autistic children have a repetitive behavior. | | | | By doing this, encourages the child with autism to |
| By teaching them to dance with music, they will | | | | expand and grow. |
| use their repetitive behavior to learn new music, | | | | Dancing with rhythm is helpful for autistic children |
| words, beats, and interact with others. This gives | | | | to learn to touch and laugh, by clapping their |
| them an opportunity to release their frustrations | | | | hands, following the instructions of the teacher |
| that most of them have. | | | | and learning new songs with variation of words |
| The choices of music that should be selected is | | | | and beats. In addition, it develops better eye |
| chosen as to how, the autistic individual will | | | | contact, social skills, motor skills, they have |
| respond to what has been given to them. For | | | | become more calm, gained self-confidence and |
| example, some might enjoy a good loud beat that | | | | have become better listeners, with articulation |
| will be acceptable and others may want to hear | | | | that has made their speech become more clear. |
| soft soothing instrumental music. There are those | | | | Have fun with this exercise of dancing with |
| who simply enjoy singing with solo voices or | | | | rhythm. It is best not to push autistic children to |
| choirs. | | | | dance or become angry with them, if they do not |
| Introduce a variety of music. It is important to | | | | perform, get the correct step or movement. |
| remember, not to introduce too many variety | | | | Clapping is another way to add joy to the |
| ranges of music compositions all at one time to | | | | ingredient of dancing. |
| the individual child, with autism. This will create | | | | Be creative, use your imagination. Remember, |
| anxiety, frustration and could keep the person | | | | some of the children may have their own special |
| from having any future joy of understanding | | | | songs that they would like to sing or dance to. |
| what music can do for him or her. | | | | Allow them to do it and you could vary the music |
| Dancing with rhythm can be accomplished by | | | | with different beats and words. |
| using a large round ball that the child can hold, | | | | Dancing to rhythm with autistic children has |
| setting up a large mirror and having the child view | | | | developed many positive attributes for the child |
| his or her steps by watching with the pupil, their | | | | as well as the parents or caregivers. It is worth |
| body movements, as you are dancing with them. | | | | the effort for just fun and joy. |
| They can also hold your hand and you can dance | | | | |