New Program Uses Art, Dance as Therapy
The Pinckneyville Park program helps kids with autism and other cognitive disabilities using art and dance.
A new program at a local community center seeks to help children with autism and other cognitive disabilities with a unique medium: the arts. The Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center began its “Creative Therapies” program yesterday, using dance and art to help kids with disabilities. These therapies have been proven to help kids with disabilities express themselves, improving social skills and self-esteem, according to the Recreation Leader Kim Gerlach. "These forms of therapy have shown to be beneficial with changing a child’s behavior, which allows them to learn to stay focused on tasks," she added. The dance therapy can enhance posture and coordination as well as calm and stimulate. The arts programs can help express emotions…
