Dance program trial aims to boost outcomes for autistic children

A new community-based dance program is offering a fresh approach to supporting autistic children — and researchers want families in Victoria to get involved.

Monash University is leading a first-of-its-kind trial that will explore whether taking part in AllPlay Dance improves motor skills for children with autism. The program is now recruiting children aged 7 to 12 who have a formal autism diagnosis and live in Victoria.

The research team will compare the outcomes of children who participate in the program with those on a waitlist receiving treatment as usual, to see whether dance can make a measurable difference.

AllPlay Dance was co-created by Professor Nicole Rinehart, a clinical psychologist and expert in neurodevelopmental disorders from Monash University, and Dr Olivia Millard, a senior lecturer in dance from Deakin University. The program has been designed to help children with developmental conditions experience dance in a welcoming and inclusive setting.

Professor Rinehart said many people don’t realise that up to 80 per cent of autistic children also have significant movement challenges.

“Simple things like catching and throwing a ball and balancing — things that children don’t need to think about — can be real barriers to participation for a child with autism,” she said.

She hopes the program can help children build their motor skills in a setting that also supports social connection and belonging.

“The idea that we can not only improve motor outcomes, but in a context that is relational with friends, has a net benefit of developing a skill and also having the confidence to use it in everyday life,” Professor Rinehart said.

The trial will be held at Monash’s BrainPark facility and Deakin University’s dance studios. It also aims to measure changes in cognitive, social, emotional and behavioural outcomes, as well as the impact on parent stress.

The program pairs each child with a dance ‘buddy’ — a trained intern who will support them throughout the classes. Dr Millard said the project is also about building capacity in the community and learning directly from families.

“We will address interlinked aims of measuring the benefits of dance for children with autism; creating capacity in the community for dance teachers to conduct inclusive classes; and continuing to adapt and develop our approach to teaching dance for children with disability,” she said.

Professor Rinehart said the AllPlay initiative has been built over 10 years with funding from industry, government and philanthropic partners. It has evolved alongside the rollout of the NDIS to give children more access to inclusive community-based programs.

“Children don’t have to leave school, they get to do what every other child does — go to a dance class after school. It is a win-win from every angle,” she said.

Families interested in taking part can visit https://redcap.link/AllPlayDanceRCT, email [email protected] or call (03) 9905 3771.