Influence of dance movement therapy on motor planning and social skills of children with autism

Rafanavičienė S. Influence of dance movement therapy on motor planning and social skills of children with autism / supervisor dr. Prasauskienė A., consultant m. Vasiliauskienė V,.; Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Medical Academy, Faculty of Nursing, Children rehabilitation Clinic – Kaunas, 2020, 61 p.; The aim of the research – Assess changes in motor planning and social skills while applying dance movement therapy for children with autism. The tasks to reach the aim of this study were: To evaluate motor planning skills of children with autism, while evaluating gross motor skills; To evaluate social skills of children with autism; Assess how motor planning and social skills of children with autism change, while applying and not applying dance movement therapy; Assess connection between social and gross motor skills of children with autism. The methods of the research: Children were evaluated with demographic data evaluation questionnaire, social skills evaluation questionnaire and Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2. Dance movement therapy was applied for 3 months for experimental group. Second evaluation of social gross motor skills after 3 months was performed. Participants: 2 – 5 years old children with autism; Conclusions: 1. Motor planning skills of children with autism in effect and control groups, were inferior compared to motor planning skills of typically developing children. Motor planning skills of 7 out of 8 participants in effect group and all participants in control group do not conform to the norm; 2. In effect group social skills of 7 out of 8 participants and in control group of all participants do not conform to the norm; 3. Motor planning skills of children with autism, improved while applying dance movement therapy together with structured education. Motor planning skills did not change while applying structured education alone for 3 months. Applying structured education for 3 months, did not influence social skills of children with autism, regardless of application of dance movement therapy; 4. Research data did not reveal correlation between social and gross motor skills