How Inclusive Dance Supports Occupational Therapy: Taylor’s Capstone Project

By: Taylor Briske

How Chance 2 Dance Inspired an Occupational Therapy Journey

My name is Taylor Briske, and I am a former Chance 2 Dance instructor and an eighth-term Doctor of Occupational Therapy student. When I was accepted into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, I immediately knew what I wanted my capstone project to focus on. The decision was easy, as I have had the privilege of working at Chance 2 Dance as a dance instructor for the past two years. During that time, I was constantly inspired by my incredible students and by the organization’s mission to promote inclusive arts. Because of this, I knew I wanted my capstone to focus on inclusive dance to further advocate for its invaluable need. I am truly grateful to Chance 2 Dance for inspiring me and making this project possible!

Exploring Occupational Therapy Through Dance

You may be wondering- what is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy is a rehabilitative healthcare profession that focuses on helping individuals develop the skills needed to live as independently as possible and participate in activities they want or need to do throughout their daily lives. I chose to become an occupational therapist because I want to help others participate in the daily activities that are most meaningful for them and support them in achieving goals they may not have thought were possible. Through problem-solving, creativity, adaptations, modifications, and advocacy, occupational therapists work to remove barriers to help individuals live their lives to the fullest. 

Another reason I was drawn to occupational therapy is the opportunity to advocate for a more inclusive world where individuals of all abilities can fully participate in their everyday lives. Inclusion has always been a passion of mine, and my experience with Chance 2 Dance strengthened that passion even further. It confirmed that I am meant to pursue a profession like occupational therapy where I can empower individuals and support greater independence, equity, well-being, and inclusion.

Medicine adds days to life,
Occupational therapy adds life to days

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The Connection Between Dance and Sensory Regulation

I completed my final season with Chance 2 Dance in 2023, which was a very bittersweet moment. While I was excited and eager to begin my journey in occupational therapy school and continue learning about this incredible profession, it was also difficult to say goodbye to my Chance 2 Dance family. The organization had become such a meaningful community to me, and I always looked forward to seeing my students and being inspired by their growth, determination, and resilience each day. Because of this, I made it my goal to return to Chance 2 Dance and incorporate this amazing organization into my capstone project.

Throughout my didactic coursework in occupational therapy school, I knew I wanted my capstone topic to be related to inclusive dance for the neurodiverse population. However, it was not until my pediatrics course that everything truly came together. During one class, we watched an educational video about sensory processing, and it all clicked. In this video, sensory systems are compared to a cup, with water representing sensory input. Some individuals are considered “under-responsive,” meaning they have “large cups” that can take in a great deal of sensory input without becoming dysregulated. Others may be “over-responsive,” meaning they have “small cups” that can fill up quickly, leading to sensory overload when too much sensory input is received. 

This analogy immediately made me think of one of my former students at Chance 2 Dance. His mother often shared that after attending our ballet class, he would leave feeling very calm and collected. In contrast, she shared that after participating in other activities, he sometimes appeared disorganized or overly energized afterwards. This made me realize that the ballet class and the sensory input it provided helped to fill his sensory “cup” to the just-right level, while other environments may have been overfilling it. It also made me reflect on my own experience with dance. Growing up, dance was always a therapeutic outlet for me that helped me to regulate myself. From that moment, I knew this was the topic I wanted to explore more and share with others through my capstone project. Thanks to my experience at Chance 2 Dance, I discovered my capstone focus: creating an adaptable program to integrate dance into occupational therapy practice to support sensory regulation in autism spectrum disorder. Stay tuned for next month’s blog to learn more about the development and implementation of my project!

The Future of Inclusive Dance in Therapy and Community Programs

I cannot thank Nicole and Chance 2 Dance enough for introducing me to the world of inclusive dance. It has the value to change lives, as I witnessed firsthand during my time at the studio. Inclusive dance has the potential to enhance numerous aspects of an individual’s daily life by supporting physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. This was further reinforced by my capstone project, which I cannot wait to share with you all next month! As I complete my final term of occupational therapy school and prepare to enter the profession, I will carry with me all of the values that Chance 2 Dance instilled in me while working with my future clients. I will also continue to advocate for the use of dance as an intervention tool within the occupational therapy profession so that even more individuals can experience the benefits and impact of inclusive dance, “because everyone deserves a chance!”