25 Jan
2010
25 Jan
'10
2:45 p.m.
Hi,
I am preparing for a public dance series where special needs folks, folks
with some learning disabilities, have been present in the past. I have my
share of easy dances but I am wondering if any of you have experience with
the special needs of special needs dancers. One of these dancers has been
described to me as on the autistic spectrum. Do you have experience
teaching such dancers? Were there approaches that worked well, or otherwise
good teaching that in this situation did not work well? Are there dances
you would suggest? Have you found that dances that keep dancers physically
connected are any better than those that do so less? Your help in giving as
many dancers a good time as possible will be appreciated by all.
Thanks,
Rickey Holt
P.S. The rest of the dancers at this series are already used to easy
dances.
25 Jan
25 Jan
6:31 p.m.
There are many dancers with "special needs" at most contra
dances. When there are individuals with more profound mental,
physical, or social disabilities present the primary job of the
caller is, as always, to integrate those dancers into the dance
community as quickly and as thoroughly as possible. That is not easy
and requires an emphasis on the most basic caller skills, such as
clear pronunciation, setting up the mike properly, earning and
holding the dancers' attention, calling with effective word order,
and setting a generous and gracious community tone through
programming and by example.
Basically, this is a situation that puts all of your calling skills
to the test. Other than that it is not that different from any other
open, public contra dance, (as opposed to a camp, festival, or other
event that is designed for contra dance enthusiasts). This kind of
gig is a great opportunity for any caller to hone their calling skills.
Good luck!
***********
At 06:45 AM 1/25/2010, you wrote:
Hi,
I am preparing for a public dance series where special needs folks, folks
with some learning disabilities, have been present in the past. I have my
share of easy dances but I am wondering if any of you have experience with
the special needs of special needs dancers. One of these dancers has been
described to me as on the autistic spectrum. Do you have experience
teaching such dancers? Were there approaches that worked well, or otherwise
good teaching that in this situation did not work well? Are there dances
you would suggest? Have you found that dances that keep dancers physically
connected are any better than those that do so less? Your help in giving as
many dancers a good time as possible will be appreciated by all.
Thanks,
Rickey Holt
P.S. The rest of the dancers at this series are already used to easy
dances.
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Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
26 Jan
26 Jan
10:40 a.m.
Hi Rickey
I echo Greg's comments. I have come to calling fairly recently, but worked
professionally for several years with people with intellectual disabilities. Clear,
concise, unambiguous communication is key. And if it doesn't work to say it one way,
try saying it another, even more concrete, way. The old trick of using absolute rather
than relative terminology is also helpful (eg "those nearest the kitchen"
instead of "those on my right"). And a picture paints a thousand words, so
demonstrating moves that require lots of language to describe works really well, eg ladies
chain.
Good luck
Let us know how you go
Jeanette
The piano - 88 little mistakes waiting to happen; Peter Barnes
----- Original Message ----
From: Greg McKenzie <gregmck(a)earthlink.net>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Sent: Tue, 26 January, 2010 5:31:08 AM
Subject: Re: [Callers] Dances for special needs folks at a public dance
There are many dancers with "special needs" at most contra
dances. When there are individuals with more profound mental,
physical, or social disabilities present the primary job of the
caller is, as always, to integrate those dancers into the dance
community as quickly and as thoroughly as possible. That is not easy
and requires an emphasis on the most basic caller skills, such as
clear pronunciation, setting up the mike properly, earning and
holding the dancers' attention, calling with effective word order,
and setting a generous and gracious community tone through
programming and by example.
Basically, this is a situation that puts all of your calling skills
to the test. Other than that it is not that different from any other
open, public contra dance, (as opposed to a camp, festival, or other
event that is designed for contra dance enthusiasts). This kind of
gig is a great opportunity for any caller to hone their calling skills.
Good luck!
***********
At 06:45 AM 1/25/2010, you wrote:
Hi,
I am preparing for a public dance series where special needs folks, folks
with some learning disabilities, have been present in the past. I have my
share of easy dances but I am wondering if any of you have experience with
the special needs of special needs dancers. One of these dancers has been
described to me as on the autistic spectrum. Do you have experience
teaching such dancers? Were there approaches that worked well, or otherwise
good teaching that in this situation did not work well? Are there dances
you would suggest? Have you found that dances that keep dancers physically
connected are any better than those that do so less? Your help in giving as
many dancers a good time as possible will be appreciated by all.
Thanks,
Rickey Holt
P.S. The rest of the dancers at this series are already used to easy
dances.
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
__________________________________________________________________________________
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contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
2 comments
3 participants
participants (3)
-
Greg McKenzie -
Jeanette Mill -
Rickey