Wishes Dance Studio

Adaptive dance classes at Wishes benefits the whole community

BY LINDSEY WATSON

IT CAN BE TOUGH to find extracurricular activities that are suitable for our special needs kids. School, therapies, and visits to the doctor often leave little time for other social opportunities. On top of that, trying out new hobbies can also be expensive.

Cue the curtain! Wishes

Dance Studio is now hosting two adaptive classes, giving kids with unique challenges a chance to have fun, socialize, and enjoy creative expression with other peers.

The studio offers two different classes. The Wonders on Wheels class is designed for wheelchair-users, and the Abilities class is geared toward those with developmental delays, or anyone who may benefit from more structure and consistency in a class.

The idea for these classes was actually born from a community member. Megan Murphy, the Studio Director, explained that someone from the audience was watching a recital where an injured dancer happened to be in a wheelchair.

Murphy said, “The family heard, and asked about a Wonders on Wheels program [similar to one where they had moved from].”

After that, Wishes consulted with parents of dancers who worked in special education. They spent time researching music therapy and spent last summer writing class curriculum. Classes that began with only a few kids have now grown up to 12 kids on some nights.

Susan Graham, a parent to a Wonders on Wheels dancer, said, “I love that Paisley gets to use her wheelchair with other little girls. Her typical peer interactions are great, but she also needs to see other kids using wheelchairs so she knows she isn’t alone.”

In both adaptive classes, Wishes “buddies” are paired with an adaptive dancer. Pairs are kept consistent so that both the buddy and dancer can bond, and so that the buddy can learn about the specific needs of the dancer to create a successful experience.

Amanda Avant, whose daughter attends the Wonders on Wheels class, appreciates this component. She said, “I love that the older girls are the helpers and come to the class to push the [dancer] girls, and help them move their hands if needed. We often are the ones doing that to help them participate, and with this we can just watch and enjoy it.” Avant also explained that it’s a benefit that someone other than her mom is assisting Ruby for a change. Buddies are seeing additional benefit from helping, too. Murphy explained that several of the dancers will be graduating and are going into the special education field. Graduating dancers felt the experience was personally valuable, and many have asked to come back and assist with the summer dance classes after graduation.

Both the Wonders on Wheels class and the Abilities class include fun music, instruments, scarf play, and even a red carpet finale, which gives each dancer their solo moment to have the floor.

Classes are usually 30 minutes long. They are also generously offered for free, which parents truly appreciate. Avant said, “Stuff like this can be expensive and I’d want Ruby to really get something out of it.”

Wishes Studio recognizes that special needs families have a lot of expenses. Murphy told me, “We wanted to try and make it easy and fun, and didn’t add any additional hardship. Our goal is to let all dancers dance regardless of any kind.”

Adaptive class curriculum has been thoughtfully crafted for things like music choice and activities. Class props can also be customized to cater to each dancer’s preferences.

Classes also foster relationships beyond the dancers. Parents and other family members enjoy getting to be a part of it all. “It’s cool to see the bonds that form between some of the buddies and kids, and also between the buddies and parents… [like when the parent is] looking for their child’s buddy at the beginning of class,” Murphy explained. “What makes it work is having that partnership with the parents.”

Graham echoed this sentiment, saying, “I love talking to the other parents during class. Life with a disabled child who uses a wheelchair is different. It can feel lonely. It’s nice to talk about wheelchairs, therapy, concerns, and joyful moments with other parents who live the way we live.”

Recently, the adaptive classes performed in the April recital shows alongside the other Wishes dancers. A fee was associated for adaptive dancers to voluntarily participate in the recital, but also included a tshirt, trophy, and a chance for them to show their family how hard they had been working.

They were the first to perform in the show which allowed families to either watch the other performances or exit if needed. The smiles on the girls’ faces really says it all. Our community is extremely grateful for this unique opportunity.

Anyone interested in the Wishes adaptive classes are encouraged to register online. Please check the Wishes website for updates on class schedules and times. https://www.wishesdance.com/ or https://www. facebook.com/wishesdancestudio/