Joanne Lara is the founder of Autism Movement Therapy (AMT) and developer of the aut-erobics DVD. Lara graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance and danced professionally in New York City with the Louis Falco Dance Company. She has since earned a Master’s degree in Special Education and taught for over ten years, working exclusively with students with autism.
Autism Movement Therapy is the first movement and musical therapy of its kind - incorporating innovative inter-hemispheric sensory integration strategies (neuro-plasticity) using movement and music. AMT is designed to unlock and improve communication, cognitive and academic skills as well as increase social and behavioral awareness skills in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Here are some links to short videos on Joanne Lara, Autism Movement Therapy and the aut-erobics DVD…
Indeed the intense mental (as well as physical) exercise work that AMT requires of participants in combining patterning, visual movement calculation, audile receptive processing, rhythm and sequencing, should definitely transfer into improvements in functioning in every day life for Autistic individuals. This is not unlike my post on the success one Canadian program has had in utilising Capoeira for children with special needs - Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance and music…
(sources: The Autism Expert - Bio of Joanne Lara; Autism Movement Therapy “Wakes Up the Brain” | SpecialNeeds.com; Dancing Makes You Smarter)