Elizabeth Chacon
Owner and Director at A Dance Class For Me!
Website Address: https://ercamtprovider.com
Each week on Explore the Spectrum, our host Jeanetta Bryant discusses the latest news and developments related to autism, as well as providing expert insights and advice to our audience. Be ready for anything by listening to what these insiders have to say. This week, Jeanetta speaks with Elizabeth Chacon from A Dance Class For Me!
To learn more, visit https://ercamtprovider.com.
Short company description:
This dance program is led by Elizabeth Rose Chacon for students who are on the moderate to severe side of the Autism Spectrum or have Special Needs that prevent them from participating in “typical” dance classes. For many this is their first group activity.
What Is Your Why (Why Are You In Business)?
I’m a dancer, a dance instructor, dance is my vehicle for reaching students and meeting them where they are. There are kids who need my program. So many are not allowed into activities like dance because the instructors are not able to deal with behaviors they don’t understand. All behaviors such as flapping, jumping, etc. are accepted in A Dance Class For Me! These students learn about dance, music, being in a group activity, and that there is a safe place to express themselves.
How did you get started in your field or work?
I found Autism Movement Therapy, took the training, and started teaching on my own.
What’s one thing we should know that makes your company unique?
A Dance Class For Me! accepts all students and gives each student the opportunity to learn what a dance class is like and that it only takes patience to learn how to do all that is asked of them.
What are your biggest goals in the next 6 to 12 Months for your business?
My goal is just to stay in business so I can teach as many students as I can. My dream is to train other dance instructors to work with these wonderful students.
Who do you know that is impacted by Autism and how has that impacted you?
Children of friends were my first introduction to autism. One friend in particular had a severly affected child, he was non-verbal and needed support. Now I know people all over the spectrum, including my own son who we recently learned is on the spectrum. I guess he would be considered “high functioning” (I don’t like that term) because very few doctors even mentioned the possiblity that he was on the spectrum. He is dyslexic and I thought that was his only issue.
