Adaptive Dance Classes

I read an interesting article today on CNN tonight.

Gianna di Marco provides adaptive dance courses for people with special needs, like kids with Down-syndrome in Boston.

I’m very pleased to hear that opportunities like this are being provided. Marco provides these services in conjunction with the Children’s Hospital in Boston with assistance from the local ballet school.

The article mentions that the children receive: physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy at the hospital. However, I regret to say that it doesn’t say anything about recreational therapy.

I’d imagine several of the benefits for this adaptive dance program would include: socialization, physical fitness, esteem and confidence building, teambuilding, use of cognitive skills and memory. Here is an example: in the video below it says that the children with Down syndrome have learned the difference between left and right.
These children also learn good use of leisure time, new leisure skills, and more.

I did a YouTube Search and Found This Video that shows Gianna di Marco providing adaptive dance lessons for the children with special needs. I admire people like him who reach out to help children with special needs.



I provide various creative interventions for the children who I serve (abuse survivors), including: expressive arts, horticulture, creative writing/ journaling, story-telling, and we're currently preparing for a holiday performance. However, I'm not a dancer and wouldn't be able to teach the skills that Gianna is able to teach. I appreciate that he uses his skills to help children in need. I find this inspiring.

Go to the CNN Source Below. It includes a video, too:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/12/04/special.dance/index.html