Exploring the Effectiveness of Dance as an Intervention to Promote Social-Emotional Health in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

The study will look children with ASD's response to a 7-week occupational therapy led dance program in regards to social-emotional health. This will include exploring the effect on change of social-emotional behavior in children with ASD after being exposed to dance intervention through comparing the quantitative measurements of pre- and post-assessment scores of the Developmental Profile 4 (DP-4), analysis of the qualitative measurements of pre- and post-social-emotional behaviors via child report, and analysis of qualitative observations of social-emotional behavior through reviewing video recording of dance classes. Additionally, parents' perspectives will be explored through post-interview questions to share their observations of their child's experience.

Inclusion criteria

for Youth Participants

• Elementary school children ages 7-11.
• Parent/caregiver/guardian must provide proof of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) with a Primary Eligibility of Autism.

o Parent/caregiver/guardian must provide proof of IEP and eligibility.

• Will speak and understand English.
• Able to physically participate in the dance program without the use of adaptive equipment.
• Answer yes to the following Skillset Checklist (Per parent/caregiver/guardian report):

• Follow 1- and 2-step instructions.
• Follow structured activities with supervision (e.g., visual schedule, routine).
• Previous participation in extracurricular group activities over the last 6 months - 1 year (e.g., structured sports).
• Minimum 5-minutes of attention to task.

Exclusion criteria

• No IEP Primary Eligibility of Autism.
• No children participants younger than 7.
• No children participants older than 11.