Mission Moment- Meet Holland

Holland loves learning to dance and making new friends at her adaptive ballet classes. 

Holland is a 10 year old girl who loves ballet, horseback riding, and jumping on the trampoline. She enjoys FaceTiming her older brother at college and eating chicken nuggets and ice cream. 

Holland has diagnoses of autism spectrum and Tatton Brown Rahman Syndrome. Holland experiences delays in her ability to communicate and socialize with others. She also demonstrates deficits in concentration, attention span and recalling instructions. 

Holland’s family approached the Love Fund for assistance with adaptive ballet lessons to improve her coordination and communication skills. Adaptive ballet allows her to express herself non-verbally and follow instructions. She also develops motor skills, body awareness, social communication, and emotional regulation skills. As she learns a routine, she builds self-confidence which will lead to positive interactions with others. Ballet lessons provide sensory relief for her sensory-seeking behaviors and allow her to develop connections with others.

Thank you supporters for funding Holland’s love for dance and helping her find an outlet to connect with her peers.

“Dance can help individuals build emotional regulation and positive ways to express themselves nonverbally in a socially appropriate manner. This is critical for Holland, as she struggles to regulate her emotions and communicate how she is feeling.” 

~ Carmen Thomas, MA, BCBA, LBA, Behavioral Analyst