What Opportunities for Personal Development can Dance offer for Children Experiencing Complex Needs?

This study aimed to investigate how dance supports inclusion by enabling Children Experiencing Complex Needs (CECN) to develop social skills. Complex needs are a diverse set of conditions including physical and sensory disabilities, intellectual and developmental delays, mental illness, autism, and other medical conditions that can limit ability to participate in society. Social skills refer to a set of abilities that enable children to interact effectively with others in various social contexts. These skills enable them to build relationships, participate in activities, access resources and support, leading to significant improvements in their overall well-being, sense of belonging, and personal growth, which ultimately promotes social inclusion. This research is informed by my practice as a dancer, experience as an SEN teacher in India, and as a learning support assistant and dance teacher for CECN in England. Although cultural contexts may differ, social skill development and inclusion are common challenges for CECN, regardless of their location. Research plays an important role in providing evidence for the effectiveness of dance in promoting social inclusion. This contributes to the identification and development of effective interventions. This study was approached from an interpretivist perspective and used a case study methodology that involved data collection through observations and interviews. Thematic data analysis found five key themes relevant to the underlying principle: ‘helps to make friends’, ‘encourages inclusion’, ‘develops social skills’, ‘provides enjoyment’, and ‘provides opportunity’. Findings suggest that dance offers numerous opportunities to CECN for personal development and social inclusion, implying the need for further research and integration of dance into education programs.