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DANCE THERAPY FOR SPECIAL CHILDREN

An efficient level of sensory and motor functioning is essential in many aspects of life
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Physical abilities are essential to successful learning because they allow the
person to meet the physical demands of the environment
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Dance is one of the most natural movements of a human being
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Dance is a sign of life pressing itself out through through the body, that is why it is exciting to
see and do
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Every
daily act of man involves energy, coordination rhythm, and control
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It is an effective tool in dealing with their deficits in motor skills and with their
feelings of frustration, insecurity and helplessness
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It shall discuss the values, nature of programming, methods and techniques of dance therapy
suited to meet the special needs of children with disabilities
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Prehistoric man discovered for himself, at an early point in his history,y, certain crude forms of
treatment for his ills
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Often, art, music, dancing, chanting and other expressive activities were
used in this healing process
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History has recorded a number of references to the early use of therapeutic recreation in
ancient societies
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As early as 2000 BC, Egyptian temples were established to
treat the mentally ill by providing games and other pastimes (songs and dances of temple
maidens)
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The Roman physician
Galen (2 AD) developed and classified exercises that improved muscle tone
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It became more widely
recognised that recreation and creative activities were of value in reducing the extent and
duration of a person’s disability
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There are three major assumptions concerning the practice of dance
therapy
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Movement reflects personality
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The relationship established between the therapist and patient through
movement supports and enables behavioural change
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Signifcant changes occur on the movement level that can affect total functioning
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It is expressive
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2
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3
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It helps to reestablish patterns of motility, reduce
fragmentation, reduce constrictions, and eliminate bizarre gestures
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4
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It deals with either individuals or groups, with verbal or non-verbal
patients
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Many

persons with physical handicap, learning disabilities, emotional disorders and social
maladjustment suffer from confusion about about body image, body boundaries and identity
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Movement says something
about an individual -- his state of mood, his flexibility or rigidity -- and in some way movement
interaction can enable a person to change or at the least, can permit him to have a new
experience or sensation
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A person’s self-concept
evolves from his body image, from how he views and experiences himself as subject and
object and how he uses his body in interpersonal relations
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When there is a faulty or not completed image, it has been found that
perception and subsequent understanding is distorted
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Since some children remain on the pre-verbal level, nonverbal techniques such as dance
therapy, are needed to reach and activate them
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It is used therapeutically to awaken and revitalize the
body, reestablish a sense of trust in oneself and group participation, and provide an outlet for
discharge of tension and hostility
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Dance therapy makes its most valuable impact in its ability to integrate stimuli
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The first is derived from the auditory stimuli with response to rhythm, the second from the
feeling evoked by the freedom of movement with its release of inner tensions
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Chldren with disabilities can learn most from
multisensory learning experiences
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On the basis of the discussion on the benefits of dance therapy for children with disabilities, it

is evident that efforts should be exerted to strengthen and expand dance programs for
children with disabilities
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