SPARTA Autism had the incredible opportunity to attend the Kids Breaking League (KBL) competition in Harlem, NYC. The energy in the room was electric as young dancers gave their all, showing off their incredible breakdancing skills. From powerful headspins to intricate footwork, the dedication and passion of these kids were truly inspiring.
But we weren’t just there to watch the competition—we were there to raise awareness about Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP) and fundraise for our program. With our table set up, we had the chance to engage with attendees, share research-backed insights on the benefits of dance for children with autism, and connect with families and community members. The response was overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing just how powerful dance can be as a tool for growth and expression.
Dance as Therapy: The Science Behind the Movement
At SPARTA Autism, we’ve seen firsthand how dance can support children with autism. Research shows that Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP) can improve motor skills, enhance social interactions, and provide a creative outlet for children with autism. By using techniques like mirroring, where a therapist reflects a child’s movements, DMP fosters connection and self-expression in ways that traditional therapies sometimes can’t.
At the KBL competition, we handed out a postcard summarizing this vital research, helping attendees understand how dance is being integrated into autism therapy. You can check out more about DMP and our flyer here.
SPARTA Autism & Dance: A Tradition of Movement
Our organization has long embraced dance as a way to help our students connect and grow. In our Greek program, we taught our students a traditional Greek dance where everyone held hands and moved in a circle to a set of step movements—fostering teamwork, rhythm, and cultural appreciation.
Closer to home in New York, our students learned the Cuban Shuffle, a fun, structured line dance that they performed at our Kidz Night Out Autism event in Brooklyn in June 2024. Seeing our students gain confidence and joy through movement has been one of the most rewarding experiences of our program.
Bringing the Community Together
One of the highlights of our day at KBL was spending time with Kid Glyde, the passionate leader behind the local Harlem KBL program, which is part of a nationwide movement. His commitment to empowering kids through breakdancing aligns perfectly with our mission at SPARTA Autism—to use movement as a bridge for growth, learning, and self-expression.
We captured the incredible energy of the event and our interactions with Kid Glyde in a special video, which you can watch here.
Join Us in Making a Difference
This event was a perfect example of how dance brings people together, breaks barriers, and creates lasting change. At SPARTA Autism, we are committed to expanding access to programs that incorporate movement-based therapy for children with autism. If you believe in the power of dance and want to support our mission, consider donating or getting involved with SPARTA Autism today.
Together, we can keep kids moving, learning, and thriving—one step at a time.
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