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Carolien Hermans / Research
Dance education for children with special needs: a study into goals, methods and pedagogical instruments
This study is exploratory, investigating learning objectives and educational dance models for children with special needs. My research focuses on: 1) children with an autism spectrum disorder, 2) children with behavioral and developmental disorder (ADHD, pervasive developmental disorder, conduct disorder) and 3) children who are deaf or hearing impaired. The purpose of this research study is to establish a theoretical framework, providing a basis for dance education for children with special needs.
The often impaired kinaesthetic empathy in autistic children, deaf children, and children with ADHD might be ascribed to problems in reading the minds of others, often referred to as the Theory of Mind, ToM (a model developed by Baron-Cohen and others). These children encounter difficulties in imitating and mirroring the physical actions of others, due to a possible malfunctioning of the mirror neurons.
The question thus becomes whether kinaesthetic empathy in children with autism, deaf children, and children with behavioural problems, can be stimulated by dance education through the use of imitating strategies. This hypothesis will be tested in a pre-test/post-test control group design study, wherein autistic children ranging in age from 6-10 years will a) receive intensive dance training and b) be compared with a control group. The research will occur at a residential institute for autistic children.
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