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Dance therapy might help with ADHD
Filed under: Teens, Health & Safety: Babies
A research project at the Karlstad University and the University College of Dance in Stockholm, Sweden has shown that dance therapy is helpful with treating ADHD in boys and depression in girls. The group observed that after dancing, unruly and ADHD boys were calmer and interacted more appropriately with their peers. Teenage girls who suffered from depression and self-destructive tendencies showed promise in the areas of setting limits and alleviating their depression after the therapy. Treatment in these areas has previously proven difficult to successfully treat. The research project is attracting worldwide attention due to the unconventional treatment therapy and the success it has shown thus far. More follow up studies are being planned, the hope is to show continued success and bring the method mainstream
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
6-13-2006 @ 4:46PM
Matthew Miller said...Sounds reasonable, although makes me wonder if the "disorder" is in the kids or in a "normal" structure of sit-in-your-chair-all-day which this alleviates.
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6-13-2006 @ 4:51PM
LS said...I think we're seeing a pattern here. I agree with Matthew... I believe that "ADD" and "ADHD" are way over diagnosed. I think it's a case of little bodies and minds needing to get outside and DO something. We've removed recess and gym class from school, and in many cases, kids have to sit quietly at a table at lunch, as well. We're treating our kids like adults, except even adults aren't expected to sit all day at a desk without a break!! Get them up. Get them out. Run them around. They'll be smarter, happier, and way less drugged.
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6-13-2006 @ 5:14PM
Uncle Roger said...Maybe dance helps, maybe not. Either way, it sure can't hurt. It helps in other ways too. So what the heck, get the kids dancing, whether they have ADHD or not. I know I sure wish my folks had made me take tap when I was a kid.
[insert snarky comment about needing ADHD to get some arts back into the classroom]
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6-13-2006 @ 5:57PM
suburban misfit said...Yes, it's over-diagnosed. But some kids really do have it and it negatively affects every single aspect of their lives. My son was diagnosed at age 7, but we knew from the minute he was born that *something* was different with him. We're an active family; for us it's not a case of not enough running around. He has gym at school and at least two recesses per day (in third grade) and he plays kickball and frisbee at home and he rides his bike nearly every day. But he *still* can't function on any sort of "normal" level without his medication.
I take issue with people who assume that all these kids need is a little time outside. I suspect they haven't been exposed to a child who truly has this disorder.
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6-13-2006 @ 6:38PM
Angie said...I think before someone is diagnosed with this disorder, they should investigate all other options first, like time outside. It can't be overstated that some children are higher energy than others, and really do benefit from HOURS of play. When my son was 5, I made him dance African dance for 3 hours every Saturday, and it really made a huge difference in his behavior. He was the kind of child that I would make run around the house a few laps in the evening if he was too jumpy. Now he swims 1 1/2 hours three times a week, and has no problem sitting still when required.
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