Teaching Dance to Neurodiverse Students
The Centre national de danse-thérapie is offering a 9-hour training designed by Maï(g)wenn et les orteils. Maïgwenn Desbois proposes an in-depth exploration of pedagogical and creative approaches tailored to students from neurodiverse backgrounds.
This training is intended for dance professionals, teachers, facilitators, or artists wishing to adapt their practice to the needs of clients with atypical profiles.
Tuesday, October 14 – Neurodiversity, Information Processing, and Environment
On this first day, we will address the foundations of teaching dance to people diagnosed with neurodiversity. We will seek to understand the different learning mechanisms of students with intellectual disabilities, trisomy 21, autism spectrum disorder (with or without intellectual disability), ADHD, learning disorders (Dys), or delayed motor or language development.
We will also see that adequately meeting sensory needs is essential: it directly contributes to mental and physical well-being, enhances attention to the environment, and enables greater readiness for learning.
We will emphasize the importance of visually structuring space and time to support a sense of confidence in the student, as well as the role of routines, which help develop memory and a sense of competence.
Tuesday, October 21 – Class Content
This day will be dedicated to pedagogical practice in the dance classroom.
We will learn to identify the movements and exercises that foster learning, understanding, and integration of dance fundamentals, such as: comfort and sensory awakening, proprioception, crossing the midline, body awareness and schema, laterality, spatial organization, touch, and “hand-over-hand.”
We will also have the opportunity to physically experience the impact of these awakening exercises, visual structuring, and movements that support sensory integration.
Finally, we will explore how choosing a caring and positive teaching approach can encourage success and strengthen a student’s sense of accomplishment when living with differences.
Tuesday, October 28 – Support Strategies and Creativity
On this last day, we will focus on creativity and methods of support.
We will examine strategies of support and structuring to be implemented for both the individual student and the group, in contexts of research and artistic creation.
We will also discuss the concrete realization of dance projects, such as choreographies, performances, flash mobs, dance videos, and more.
Registration
We only accept a limited number of participants. Please reserve your spot, and if you cannot attend, kindly let us know so that we may offer your place to someone on the waiting list.
Schedule: Tuesdays, October 14, 21, and 28, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (3 hours / workshop)
Address: Studios GB, Édifice Wilder Espace Danse, 1435 de Bleury, Montréal, Québec, H3A 2H7
Language: The workshop will be offered in French
Cost per workshop:
Pre-sale (up to 15 days before the workshop)
$117.42 General public
$104.37 RQD
Regular
$121.77 General public
$113.07 RQD