Exploring sensory sensitivities and relationships during group dance movement psychotherapy for adults with autism

AbstractThe aim of this study was to explore sensory experiences of adults with autism and to find how they form relationships, including attachment behaviours, within a dance movement psychotherapy (DMP) group. The research paradigm was a qualitative, reflective participant observation methodology within a realism perspective. Triangulations have been used to strengthen the internal and external validity. The method used was a case study of four adults diagnosed with autism, attending group DMP over an eight-week period. Systematic observations recorded by two therapists, feedback from the participants and literature have been used to triangulate different perspectives. In conclusion, the findings show that the participants were experiencing sensory sensitivities that were systemically influencing their relationships. An awareness of sensory processing differences will have implications for how dance movement psychotherapists, parents, educators and other health and social care professionals adapt the micro dance of movement and gestures, when interacting and communicating with children and adults with autism. The recommendation from this study is that further research is needed, particularly in relation to adults.Keywords:: dance movement psychotherapyautismsensory processingattachment AcknowledgementsI thank the participants and co-therapist, Dance Voice, the Secondary Mental Health Autism Service, and Psychological Therapies Arts Psychotherapy Service.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.Notes1. The researcher has experience of raising two adult sons on the autism spectrum as well as having been raised by a paternal parent diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome at the age of 78.Additional informationNotes on contributorsJackie EdwardsJackie Edwards is registered dance movement psychotherapist working with adults in Secondary Mental Health community services and as part of the Later Life Therapies in-patient team. She also works with adults with a learning disability living in the community. She has two adult sons with a diagnosis of autism spectrum and has worked within the autism community as a family carer for over 20 years.