Terapeutyczna wartość tańca w pracy z osobami autystycznymi

Abstract

“Everyone can dance” – that is how Prof. Marian Wieczysty encouraged to dancing. These words inspired me to present various forms of dance to autistic and mentally disabled persons. The article deals with therapy through movement and dance in its various forms. In the therapy with autistic persons I use ballroom, national and traditional dancing as well as circle and integration dances and elements of dance therapy. One can satisfy his or her need of movement, expression, relaxation and creation through dance. These needs, according to Rudolf von Laban, are necessary for a person’s healthy functioning. Dancing develops the awareness of one’s own body, spatial orientation as well as auditory, optic and motor coordination. It sensitizes to music, provides often aimless, stereotypical movements with sense and meaning. Dance and movement therapy opens horizons of communication and creation of common space with an autistic person. The therapeutic value of dance consists in its influence on the entire person by engaging his or her motor, emotional, social, cognitive as well as aesthetic and motivational sphere.