It is well documented that motor impairments are associated with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Yet, appropriate therapies are scarce. Dance has been shown to not only promote fine and gross motor skills, but also psychological well-being, cognition, and social participation in neurotypical dancers. Little research has been conducted to gauge if these benefits translate to those with ASD. Ballet for all Kids (BFAK) is a recreational dance program that has been teaching ballet to children with ASD for over a decade, but has yet to be empirically studied. This study expands on the goals of former STUDY 24-00144, Approach to Dance for Autism (ADAPT), NCT06424366, to elucidate the impact of participation in a recreational dance program on children with ASD.
The researchers aim to expand upon the pilot randomized trial (STUDY-24-00144) using BFAK's curriculum and structure to elucidate the impact of a recreational ballet program on the motor function and psychological, social, and behavioral skills of children with ASD. For the primary objective, the researchers hypothesize that after 12 weeks of participation in BFAK, children with ASD will improve their motor function. For the secondary objectives, the researchers hypothesize that after 12 weeks of participation in BFAK, children with ASD will improve their behavior and mood. This is a single site, randomized trial with 32 individuals diagnosed with ASD. Participants will be placed in either Level 1 or Level 2 based on prior experience with BFAK. Participants returning from our pilot study will be placed into Level 2 at the discretion of the program coordinators, and all newly recruited participants will be placed in Level 1. BFAK ballet classes will begin in September and run for 45 minutes once a week for the intervention group. The waitlist control group will begin classes in January for 45 minutes once a week, ending in March 2026.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
32
Participants will attend weekly ballet classes following either Level 1 or Level 2 Ballet For All Kids (BFAK) curriculum.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, New York, United States
RECRUITINGChange in Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ)
The change in scores on the DCDQ at baseline and weeks 6 and 12 of the BFAK program. The DCDQ is a 15 item questionnaire designed to screen for coordination challenges in children from 5 to 15 years old and has long been used in children with ASD. It comprises 3 subscales: (1) Control during movement (scale 9-45), (2) Fine Motor/Handwriting (scale 11-55), and (3) General Coordination (scale 10-50). Scores are calculated by weighting the domains as follows: (Control during movement/30) + (Fine Motor/Handwriting/20) + (General Coordination/25) = TOTAL, reported as a range from 15-75. Higher scores indicate better coordination. For Children Ages 5 years 0 months to 7 years 11 months: 5-46 indication of DCD or suspect DCD; 47-75 probably not DCD For Children Ages 8 yrs 0 mos to 9 yrs 11 mos: 15-55 indication of DCD or suspect DCD; 56-75 probably not DCD For Children Ages 10 yrs 0 mos to 15 yrs: 15-57 indication of DCD or suspect DCD; 58-75 probably not DCD
Time frame: baseline, week 6,and week 12
Change in Pediatric Balance Scale
The difference in participants' scores on the Pediatric Balance scale at baseline and week 12. The Pediatric Balance Scale is a 14-item questionnaire that prompts children to complete certain movements such as standing unsupported, turning 360 degrees, and retrieving an object from the floor. Completion of movements are scored on a scale from 0 to 4. Full scale is scored 0-56, with higher scores corresponding to more advanced motor skills.
Time frame: baseline and week 12
Change in Movement Assessment Battery for Children.
The difference in participants' scores on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC) at baseline and week 12. The MABC is a standardized tool used to identify and describe motor impairments in children. It assesses fine and gross motor skills across everyday movement domains, and is commonly used for diagnosing Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) and related difficulties. The MABC is divided into three domains: (1) Manual Dexterity (0-15), (2) Aiming \& Catching (0-10), (3) Balance (0-15). Full scale is scored from 0-40 as a sum of the three domains. A higher total score indicates greater motor difficulty/impairment. Lower scores indicate better motor competence.
Time frame: baseline and weeks12
Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC)
The difference in participants' scores on self-reports of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) at baseline, week and completion of the BFAK program. The ABC is a 58-item scale designed to assess the impact of treatment on various presentations and behaviors of developmental disorders and has been widely used in children with ASD. The ABC is divided into five main subscales: Irritability/Agitation/Crying (0-45), Lethargy/Social Withdrawal (0-48), Stereotypic Behavior (0-21), Hyperactivity/Noncompliance (0-48), and Inappropriate Speech (0-12). Total score ranges from 0 to 174. Higher scores indicate more severe problems.
Time frame: baseline, week 6, week 12
Swanson, Nolan and Pelham (SNAP-IV)
The difference in SNAP-IV scores on self-reports at baseline and week 6, completion. The SNAP-IV is a DSM-based symptom rating scale commonly used to assess ADHD symptoms (Inattention; Hyperactivity/Impulsivity) with an optional Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) domain. Total score ranges from 0 to 78 on the 26-item version (higher scores indicate greater symptom severity). The SNAP-IV is divided into three subscales: Inattention (0-27), Hyperactivity/Impulsivity (0-27), and Oppositional Defiant (0-24). If using only the 18 ADHD items, the ADHD Total ranges from 0 to 54. Higher scores indicate more severe problems.
Time frame: baseline, week 6, week 12
Number of classes attended
The difference in active participation across attended classes as measured by in-house designed rubrics completed by volunteers at each class.
Time frame: baseline, week 6, week 12
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