Shared movement

Abstract

This chapter presents findings from a research study on the specific interventions of dance movement psychotherapy (DMP) for the purpose of interpersonal, non-verbal relating with young participants with autism. Autism is a spectrum diagnosis, with a broad range of individual appearances. Throughout the broad variations a cluster of core markers has been described for the diagnostic classification, which are: a diminished ability in social communication and interaction, and a preference for stereotype routines. Atypical social development in autism has been considered an outcome of disturbances in social cognition. Dance movement psychotherapy addresses experiences of the integrated body-mind and the interpersonal kinaesthetic relationship among participants. Many dance movement psychotherapists use mirroring interventions to connect to the autism spectrum disorders (ASD) participants’ movement repertoire. The corresponding structures for the DMP interventions over the few individual cases show an open, improvisational character. The movement themes and modes of interpersonal relating between therapist and participants are emerging and developing aspects throughout the therapy process.