Groove ‘N’ Grow: Promoting Social Participation Through Dance and Movement

Authors

• Juliana N. Ward, University of St. Augustine for Health SciencesFollow
• Karen Park, University of St. Augustine for Health SciencesFollow

Files

Description

Groove ‘n’ Grow is a structured pediatric occupational therapy group program designed to improve social participation, engagement, and sensory regulation in children with developmental and sensory processing differences through dance and movement-based activities. The program was developed as part of an occupational therapy doctoral capstone project and implemented within a pediatric outpatient therapy clinic. The purpose of the program is to provide children with developmental and sensory processing differences opportunities to practice peer engagement, cooperative participation, emotional regulation, and emotional awareness in a supportive small-group environment.

Publication Date

Spring 4-20-2026

Publisher

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

Keywords

Occupational therapy, Social participation, Dance, Movement based activities, Pediatric, Occupational therapy, Sensory processing, Emotional regulation

Medical Subject Headings

Occupational therapy, Social participation, Dance, Movement based activities, Pediatric, Occupational therapy, Sensory processing, Emotional regulation

Disciplines

Dance Movement Therapy | Occupational Therapy | Pediatrics

Comments

Poster presented at the OTD Capstone Symposium, held at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences April 20th, 2026.

Recommended Citation

Ward, J. N., & Park, K. (2026, April 20). Groove ‘N’ Grow: Promoting Social Participation Through Dance and Movement. Poster presented at the Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium, University of St Augustine for Health Sciences. Retrieved from https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2026/2