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Dance and intellectual disability: (Bachelor thesis)

Τσάφου, Χαριτήνη/ Tsafou, Charitini

Intellectual Disability is characterised by significant limitations in both cognitive functioning and adaptive behaviour, as expressed in conceptual, social and practical skills. This disability manifests itself during the developmental period, before the individual reaches the age of 22 years. The purpose of this review study is to investigate the impact of dance in its traditional and contemporary forms on physical expression, social interaction and the development of skills related to quality of life in people with intellectual disabilities. The literature search was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar online databases, for the period 2015-2025, using the keyword phrases: "Dance and Intellectual Disabilities", "Dance and Down Syndrome", "Dance and Autism", "Traditional Dances and Intellectual Disabilities", "Traditional Dances and Down Syndrome", "Traditional Dances and Autism", "Modern Dance and Intellectual Disabilities", "Modern Dance and Down Syndrome", "Modern Dance and Autism". A total of 305 studies were found, of which 11 met the inclusion criteria and were analysed in detail. The results showed that most of the dance programs had a positive effect on people with intellectual disabilities. Both traditional and modern dances contributed to the improvement of their motor, cognitive and psychosocial skills. Notable improvements in balance, posture, emotional expression, general adaptive behaviour and functional independence were observed, demonstrating the positive impact of dance on the functionality and quality of life of these individuals. In conclusion, the improvement of motor, social and emotional skills resulting from the involvement in traditional and contemporary dances makes this activity an important intervention tool, contributing substantially to the promotion of quality of life and social integration of people with intellectual disabilities.