In dance therapy for autistic children, which technique involves reflecting the client's movements?

• A. Mirroring
• B. Monitoring
• C. Mobilizing
• D. Mapping

Answer: (A)

Mirroring is the technique where the therapist reflects the client’s movements back to them, creating a responsive, in-sync interaction. In dance therapy with autistic children, this attunement helps build nonverbal communication, encourages imitation, and gives the child a safe, observable model of their own actions. When the therapist copies the child with similar timing and rhythm, it validates the child’s movements, invites further exploration, and can reduce anxiety by making the interaction feel reciprocal and predictable. Monitoring would be about watching and ensuring safety rather than reflecting the movement; mobilizing involves initiating or guiding movement, not mirroring; mapping focuses on organizing movements in space or conceptually, not the immediate reflection of the client’s actions.