Why Dance? The Effects of a Group Dance Period on Social Attending, On-Task Behavior, Affect, Stereotypical Behavior, and Disruptive Behavior of Clients of an Autism Treatment Program

• Main Author: Allen, Emerald Elizabeth
• Other Authors: Ala'i-Rosales, Shahla
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Texas 2018
• Subjects: dance; autism; on-task behavior; social attending; Autistic children.; Dance for children with disabilities.; Affect (Psychology)
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1157629/

Dance is an enjoyable activity that children can engage in across the lifespan. Many children with autism have limited leisure activity, such as dance, and also have challenges in terms of overall health related to physical activity. Previous research suggests that there are both immediate and prolonged benefits of exercise. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a group dance period on on-task behavior, social attending, affect, stereotypic behavior, and disruptive behavior of three girls diagnosed with autism. The experimenter employed a reversal to evaluate the effects of a "dance party" on a range of behaviors over time. During dance activities, staff and children danced as a group and were observed before and after the dance period. During baseline there was no dance party. While no differences were found across measures, the children did have high levels of favorable affect during the dance party. The results are discussed in the context of previous literature and directions for future studies.