Dance Therapy Classes

for students with special needs, pre-school through age 18

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The Dance Therapy program at PAC is designed to serve children with sensory-motor and learning challenges.  The program, directed by Jennifer Wiles-Balser, a Registered Dance Therapist, provides opportunities to participate in groups based on age and severity of disability.  Children will have the opportunity to move and interact in a supportive and fun environment, while working on physical strength, coordination, balance, flexibility and socialization skills through music, movement, games and dance. 

Dance Therapy, as defined by The American Dance Therapy Association, is “the psychotherapeutic use of movement to further the integration of the individual.”  Through creative movement, dance, song, games and music, the dance therapist works with groups and individuals to enhance self-expression, self-image, self-esteem and awareness of others.

Please check our classes page for details of class times and tuition.

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Rainbow Dance Programs

Rainbowdance  is a Pre-School and Toddler movement program for able and disabled children.  Created by Dicki Johnson Macy, M.Ed, BC-DMT, LMHC, the program enhances the development of healthy peer relationships through the use of ritual, song, gesture, story and natural movements (skipping, jumping, leaping, marching, reaching, reclining).  We will gather around a parachute for the 45 minute class and work on social empathy, self-confidence and self-regulation through story-telling, object lessons and movement set to cultural music and improvisation.  Rainbowdance provides the safe structure necessary for children to develop competency and relationships.

The stories and improvisations have themes of cooperation, respect, trust, honor, and gentleness, and are developed to expose each child to adaptive coping strategies for successfully meeting normal developmental challenges.  Children have the opportunity to explore their relationships to each other, self-regulation and modulation, and their unique places in the natural world through a story and movement improvisation.

Please check our classes page for details of class times and tuition.