Reach Out and Reveal

Special Education Needs, 2017 

In 2017, Akademi took up a pioneering new initiative, Reach Out and Reveal, placing South Asian dancers ‘in residence’ at schools for young people with Special Educational Needs. the project still continues successfully in three London-based schools – Papillon House, Manor School and Cambridge School.

The aim of the project is to explore how the unique movement vocabulary of South Asian dance might support the physical and communication needs of children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Trained Akademi artists are providing weekly dance and movement sessions in the three partner schools. The project tests and evaluates new approaches, creating knowledge transfer opportunities between teachers and dance practitioners.