Threshold Dance Theater Expressive Movement Philosophy for Autistic Individuals

Autistic children represent the unknown to us.

Through movement, we encourage them to explore their unique, personal, experiences – to discover their own authenticity, to give them the gift of themselves. The teachers/faciltators, and parents who observe provide witness to this movement thereby giving it its’ authentication. If we see them, can they then see themselves?

Non-verbal communication between human beings existed before speech. Children communicate and explore the environment with their bodies. First through body language before verbal language develops. This language of movement is inherently known and understood by all children. Movement expresses moods, and opposed to the spoken word, always bears the imprint of sincerity. Through movement we can find those precious moments of connectivity and presence.

If we view the human body as a vessel, and rhythmic movement as the medium, our receptive systems – Kinesthetic (body), Pro-prioceptive (inner stimuli/response), vestibular (gravity sensing), auditory(hearing), and visual(sight) can be affected and changed. Movement can serve as a mediator, intervening to organize and/or reorganize the neurological basis of cognitive, physical, and emotional functions to facilitate change, create new neuro-motor pathways, and enhance well being.

The creative movement studio environment provides an atmosphere of acceptance and empathy through nonverbal interactions and the mirroring of developmental movement patterns. At TDT, we recognize and acknowledge differences, look to discover similarities, and challenge unwelcome and limiting constraints imposed by negative assumptions and conventions. Any movement, no matter how small, if driven by spirit, possesses a great communicative power.

Parents & siblings are encouraged to participate in the movement sessions as an avenue to foster greater trust and empathy between child and family, to support the child’s movement progression, and to strengthen the child’s movement resources so the child is better able to cope with challenges in the environment. When parents support their child’s expression of movement development in the home environment, positive results can be felt in all aspects of interaction.

Group Sessions $15 per 45 minute session see TDT schedule

Private Sessions $35 per half hour session call for appointment
with the Director