Power of the Arts (03:00)

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Eleanor Irwin introduces this film about Janet Adler and dance therapy. Janet Adler is concerned about how the body can come alive with movement and encourage a sense of self. She shares her thoughts on the connection between verbal and nonverbal techniques.

Body Sense, the First Sense of Self (02:58)

Janet Adler works with a group of preschool children. They choose parts of themselves that they want to explore one at a time. A growing consciousness of body awareness is often discarded by adults in favor of intellectual development. The children move across the floor before standing upright.

Expression (02:21)

Janet Adler works with a group of preschool children. They engage in solo dances before the group and end the session with a roaring group goodbye.

Growing Pains (02:21)

Some children experience pain and frustration when growing and find forming relationships difficult. Janet Adler works with children to help make growing less painful. Adler discusses trying to make the group experience meaningful and still providing the necessary individual attention.

Communicating in Private Worlds (02:25)

Janet Adler works with a group of disturbed children. The children create a game to meet stronger needs. We see two children engage in a game that requires developing a peer relationship. Ideally, Libby needs a one-to-one relationship to develop a common language.

Dance Therapy for Communication (02:52)

Janet Adler works with two children that are psychotic in the autistic stage of development. They have no verbal language and do not play with toys. Adler imitates their gestures; space and distance are meaningful. Usually, rejection is the first strong affective response.

A Growing Communication (03:48)

Janet Adler works with two children that are psychotic in the autistic stage of development. Flat imitation falls away and the children allow Adler to participate more in their body communication. The children find it difficult to choose between physical contact and autistic isolation.

Earliest Stage of Symbiosis (04:10)

Janet Adler works with two children that are psychotic in the autistic stage of development. The girls trust Adler and spend most of their time wanting to be held. Deborah explores Adler's body and becomes aware of her own. Deborah and Amy begin to choose mutuality over isolation.

Learning One's Self (03:14)

In order to help children, adults must be comfortable with themselves and experience less conflict between their body and verbal languages. A group of adults explore space with movement. Janet Adler states that a moment of nonverbal communication can be a powerful experience.

Confident Movement (03:00)

Janet Adler works with a group of children who feel confident in their bodies. Free movement allows the children more meaningful control and discipline. See trust their bodies to their peers. Body language can be the first mean of successful communication. Adler reflects on movement with disabled children.

Credits: Dance Therapy and Authentic Movement: Looking for Me (01:23)

Credits: Dance Therapy and Authentic Movement: Looking for Me