Participation in structured, leisure activities is associated with improvements in academic achievement, mental health, physical skills, and overall well-being for children (May et al., 2019). Children with disabilities have less access to engagement in leisure activities than non-disabled peers (Carbone et al., 2021). An adaptive dance program was developed by an occupational therapy student at Consuming Kinetics Dance Company in St. Louis, Missouri for children with disabilities. Quantitative and qualitative data collected from parents presents the perceived benefits of adapted dance through the lens of doing, being, becoming and belonging (Hitch, Pepin, & Stagnitti, 2014). The program implementation outlines the impact occupational therapy students can have developing meaningful programming for children with disabilities within the community.

Dr. Zimmerman has been very influential on the presentation and my research. She has guided me through developing my own academic research, developing my adaptive dance class, and is constantly providing support. I could not have done this research without all of her support!