{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,2]],"date-time":"2026-09-02T10:35:34Z","timestamp":1788345334106,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":69,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2021,2,18]],"date-time":"2021-02-18T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1613606400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Psychol."],"abstract":"<jats:p>A review of current literature indicates that adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) feel the need for intimate and sexual relationships and maintain such relationships despite and alongside their difficulties in emotional communication, social interactions, reciprocity, and verbal and non-verbal expression. This understanding calls for the development of intervention programs designed to support the specific needs and address the problems of couples where one partner is diagnosed with ASD. In view of the relevance and significant part played by body and movement in emotional development and psychotherapy, the present article offers a review of studies examining the contribution of dance movement therapy to both the quality of life and functioning of adults with ASD and therapeutic processes in couple therapy. This review aims to establish an infrastructure for the construction of intervention programs and for future studies designed to enhance the quality of life and independence of adults with ASD.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2021.619936","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2021,2,20]],"date-time":"2021-02-20T14:08:06Z","timestamp":1613830086000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":14,"title":["The Potential Benefits of Dance Movement Therapy in Improving Couple Relations of Individuals Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder\u2014A Review"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"12","author":[{"given":"Einat","family":"Shuper Engelhard","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Maya","family":"Vulcan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,2,18]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/aur.1843","article-title":"Sticking with it: psychotherapy outcomes for adults with autism spectrum disorder in a university counseling center setting","author":"Anderberg","year":"2017","journal-title":"Autism ResearchRes."},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"945","DOI":"10.1136\/jnnp.2003.018713","article-title":"The cognitive neuroscience of autism","volume":"75","author":"Baron-Cohen","year":"2004","journal-title":"J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry"},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"167","DOI":"10.1016\/B978-0-444-53630-3.00011-7","article-title":"Empathizing, systemizing, and the extreme male brain theory of autism","volume":"186","author":"Baron-Cohen","year":"2010","journal-title":"Progress in. Brain ResearchRes."},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"163","DOI":"10.1023\/B:JADD.0000022607.19833.00","article-title":"The empathy quotient: an investigation of adults with Asperger syndrome or high functioning autism, and normal sex differences","volume":"34","author":"Baron-Cohen","year":"2004","journal-title":"Journal of Autism and Dev.elopmental DisordersDisord."},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"107","DOI":"10.1016\/j.aip.2012.02.003","article-title":"Moving in and out of synchrony: A a concept for a new intervention fostering empathy through interactional movement and dance","volume":"39","author":"Behrends","year":"2012","journal-title":"The Arts in Psychotherapy"},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"520","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neubiorev.2014.09.021","article-title":"The self to other model of empathy: providing a new framework for understanding empathy impairments in psychopathy, autism, and alexithymia","volume":"47","author":"Bird","year":"2014","journal-title":"Neuroscience and. Biobehavioral Biobehav. ReviewsRev."},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1790","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2017.01790","article-title":"Patterns of joint improvisation in adults with autism spectrum disorder","volume":"8","author":"Brezis","year":"2017","journal-title":"Frontiers in. Psychology,."},{"key":"B8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2605","DOI":"10.1007\/s10508-019-1445-2","article-title":"Sexual and relationship interest, knowledge, and experiences among adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder","volume":"48","author":"Cheak-Zamora","year":"2019","journal-title":"Archives of. Sexual BehaviorBehav."},{"key":"B9","volume-title":"Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences, 2nd Edn","author":"Cohen","year":"1988"},{"key":"B10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"237","DOI":"10.1080\/17432979.2014.946969","article-title":"Potential benefits of dance movement psychotherapy with couples experiencing infertility","volume":"9","author":"Cunningham","year":"2014","journal-title":"Body, Movement and. Dance in Psychotherapy"},{"key":"B11","author":"DeBoer","year":"2006","journal-title":"The Exploratory Use of Partner Dancing as an Adjunct to Couples Counseling"},{"key":"B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"14","DOI":"10.4236\/psych.2018.91002","article-title":"Qualitative study of wives of husbands with autism spectrum disorder: subjective experience of wives from marriage to marital crisis","volume":"9","author":"Deguchi","year":"2018","journal-title":"Psychology"},{"key":"B13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"102299","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ctim.2020.102299","article-title":"Dance promotes positive benefits for negative symptoms in autism spectrum disorder (ASD): A a systematic review","volume":"49","author":"DeJesus","year":"2020","journal-title":"Complementary Complem. Therapies in. MedicineMed."},{"key":"B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"60","DOI":"10.1159\/000506648","article-title":"Making meaning together: embodied narratives in a case of severe autism","volume":"1453","author":"Delafield-Butt","year":"2020","journal-title":"Psychopathology"},{"key":"B15","volume-title":"The Everyday Challenges Faced by Young Adults with Autism and Their Parents","author":"Dembosky","year":"2020"},{"key":"B16","first-page":"333","article-title":"Moving into relationship: Dance\/movement therapy with children with autism.,","volume-title":"Play Based Interventions for Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders","author":"Devereaux","year":"2012"},{"key":"B17","first-page":"251","article-title":"Von der Ko-Regulation zur Selbstregulation: Spiegelungsph\u00e4nomene in der Tanz-und Ausdruckstherapie (From co-regulation to self-regulation. Mirroring in Dance and Expressive Therapy),","author":"Eberhard-Kaechele","year":"2009","journal-title":"K\u00f6rper\u2013Gef\u00fchl\u2014Denken. K\u00f6rperpsychotherapie und Selbstregulation (Body-Emotion-Thinking. Bodypsychotherapy and Self-Regulation)"},{"key":"B18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"267","DOI":"10.1075\/aicr.84.21ebe","article-title":"Memory, metaphor, and mirroring in movement therapy with trauma patients,","author":"Eberhard-Kaechele","year":"2012","journal-title":"Body Memory, Metaphor and Movement"},{"key":"B19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"5","DOI":"10.1080\/17432979.2014.978894","article-title":"Exploring sensory sensitivities and relationships during group dance movement psychotherapy for adults with autism","volume":"10","author":"Edwards","year":"2015","journal-title":"Body, Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy"},{"key":"B20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"681","DOI":"10.1016\/j.rasd.2010.09.001","article-title":"Language acquisition in autism spectrum disorders: A a developmental review","volume":"5","author":"Eigsti","year":"2011","journal-title":"Research in. Autism Spectrum Disorders"},{"key":"B21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"66","DOI":"10.1093\/jmt\/thz017","article-title":"Music therapists' perceptions of the therapeutic potentials using music when working with verbal children on the autism spectrum: a qualitative analysis","volume":"57","author":"Epstein","year":"2020","journal-title":"J Music Therapy"},{"key":"B22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1560","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2018.01560","article-title":"The body speaks: using the mirror game to link attachment and non-verbal behavior","volume":"9","author":"Feniger-Schaal","year":"2018","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"B23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"21","DOI":"10.3389\/fnint.2013.00021","article-title":"Dynamical methods for evaluating the time-dependent unfolding of social coordination in children with autism","volume":"7","author":"Fitzpatrick","year":"2013","journal-title":"Front. Integr. Neurosci"},{"key":"B24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3","DOI":"10.1177\/1362361319883506","article-title":"Autism and empathy: what are the real links?","volume":"24","author":"Fletcher-Watson","year":"2020","journal-title":"Autism"},{"key":"B25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"508","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2014.00508","article-title":"Embodied affectivity: on moving and being moved","volume":"5","author":"Fuchs","year":"2014","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"B26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"288","DOI":"10.1177\/036215370303300404","article-title":"The tango of therapy: a dancing group","volume":"33","author":"Hawkes","year":"2003","journal-title":"Trans. Anal. J."},{"key":"B27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"24","DOI":"10.3390\/bs6040024","article-title":"We Dance and Find Each Other 1: effects of dance\/movement therapy on negative symptoms in autism spectrum disorder","volume":"6","author":"Hildebrandt","year":"2016","journal-title":"Behav. Sci."},{"key":"B28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"42","DOI":"10.1007\/s10465-011-9103-9","article-title":"Is dance\/movement therapy relevant to the process of achieving a healthy sexuality?","volume":"33","author":"Kierr","year":"2011","journal-title":"Am. J. Dance Therapy"},{"key":"B29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"426","DOI":"10.12965\/jer.130056","article-title":"Empirical application of empathy enhancing program based on movement concept for married couples in conflict","volume":"9","author":"Kim","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Exerc. Rehabil."},{"key":"B30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.4172\/2165-7890.1000175","article-title":"Body image in autism: an exploratory study on the effects of dance movement therapy","volume":"6","author":"Koch","year":"2016","journal-title":"Autism Open Access"},{"key":"B31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"338","DOI":"10.1177\/1362361314522353","article-title":"Fixing the mirrors: a feasibility study of the effects of dance movement therapy on young adults with autism spectrum disorder","volume":"19","author":"Koch","year":"2015","journal-title":"Autism"},{"key":"B32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1240","DOI":"10.1007\/s10803-009-0732-5","article-title":"Improving social initiations in young children with autism using reinforcers with embedded social interactions","volume":"39","author":"Koegel","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Autism Dev. Disord."},{"key":"B33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"27","DOI":"10.1159\/000441111","article-title":"Fostering social cognition through an imitation-and synchronization-based dance\/movement intervention in adults with autism spectrum disorder: a controlled proof-of-concept study","volume":"85","author":"Koehne","year":"","journal-title":"Psychotherapy Psychosom."},{"key":"B34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"8","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cognition.2015.09.007","article-title":"Perceived interpersonal synchrony increases empathy: insights from autism spectrum disorder","volume":"146","author":"Koehne","year":"","journal-title":"Cognition"},{"key":"B35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4","DOI":"10.1080\/17432979.2019.1699859","article-title":"Embodied attunement: a dance\/movement therapy approach to working with couples","volume":"15","author":"Lacson","year":"2020","journal-title":"Body Mov. Dance Psychotherapy"},{"key":"B36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"377","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1475-6811.2010.01285.x","article-title":"Predicting nonmarital romantic relationship dissolution: a meta-analytic synthesis","volume":"17","author":"Le","year":"2010","journal-title":"Pers. Relationsh."},{"key":"B37","volume-title":"The Dance of Intimacy","author":"Lerner","year":"2017"},{"key":"B38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"61","DOI":"10.3390\/bs8070061","article-title":"Effects of dance movement therapy on adult patients with autism spectrum disorder: a randomized controlled trial","volume":"8","author":"Mastrominico","year":"2018","journal-title":"Behav. Sci."},{"key":"B39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"465","DOI":"10.1016\/j.aip.2013.09.004","article-title":"Effect of a combined dance\/movement and music therapy on young adults diagnosed with severe autism","volume":"40","author":"Mateos-Moreno","year":"2013","journal-title":"Arts Psychotherapy"},{"key":"B40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"178","DOI":"10.1016\/j.aip.2011.04.005","article-title":"Mirroring in dance\/movement therapy: potential mechanisms behind empathy enhancement","volume":"38","author":"McGarry","year":"2011","journal-title":"Arts in Psychotherapy"},{"key":"B41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"143","DOI":"10.1007\/s00787-007-0648-6","article-title":"Joint attention development in toddlers with autism","volume":"17","author":"Naber","year":"2008","journal-title":"Eur. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry"},{"key":"B42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3533","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph17103533","article-title":"Development and preliminary validation of the couples' stigma scale to assess self-stigma among the partners of persons with autism spectrum disorder in Japan","volume":"17","author":"Naoko","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health"},{"key":"B43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"112","DOI":"10.1080\/08098131.2019.1680571","article-title":"Synchronicity in improvisational music therapy-Developing an intersubjective field with a child with autism spectrum disorder","volume":"29","author":"Nielsen","year":"2020","journal-title":"Nordic J. Music Therapy"},{"key":"B44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"245","DOI":"10.1023\/B:JADD.0000029547.96610.df","article-title":"Peer relationships and social and recreational activities among adolescents and adults with autism","volume":"34","author":"Orsmond","year":"2004","journal-title":"J. Autism Dev. Disord."},{"key":"B45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"11","DOI":"10.1007\/s10591-011-9170-6","article-title":"Nonverbal behavioral indicators of negative affect in couple interaction","volume":"34","author":"Patterson","year":"2012","journal-title":"Contemp. Fam. Therapy"},{"key":"B46","first-page":"66","article-title":"Connecting couples intervention: Improving couples' empathy and emotional regulation using embodied empathy,","volume-title":"European Psychotherapy 2016\/2017: Embodiment in Psychotherapy","author":"Pietrzak","year":"2017"},{"key":"B47","author":"Polo","year":"2010","journal-title":"The Space Between Us: The Experience of Relationship in the Argentine Tango"},{"key":"B48","unstructured":"2015"},{"key":"B49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.7243\/2054-992X-4-1","article-title":"Asperger syndrome and partnership","volume":"4","author":"Roy","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Autism"},{"key":"B50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4133","DOI":"10.1007\/s10803-020-04377-8","article-title":"Romantic intimacy in autism: a qualitative analysis","volume":"50","author":"Sala","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Autism Dev. Disord."},{"key":"B51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"381","DOI":"10.31887\/DCNS.2017.19.4\/dschoettle","article-title":"Sexuality in autism: hypersexual and paraphilic behavior in women and men with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder","volume":"19","author":"Sch\u00f6ttle","year":"2017","journal-title":"Dialog. Clin. Neurosci."},{"key":"B52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"234","DOI":"10.1002\/mrdd.20038","article-title":"Trajectory of Development in Adolescents and Adults with Autism","volume":"10","author":"Seltzer","year":"2004","journal-title":"Mental Retard. Dev. Disabil. Res. Rev."},{"key":"B53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"41","DOI":"10.1016\/j.aip.2018.06.003","article-title":"Being together in time: body synchrony in couples' psychotherapy","volume":"60","author":"Shuper Engelhard","year":"2018","journal-title":"Art Psychotherapy"},{"key":"B54","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"128","DOI":"10.1080\/17432979.2019.1618395","article-title":"Clinical intervention using dance-movement psychotherapy for couples-qualitative research and clinical implications","volume":"14","author":"Shuper Engelhard","year":"","journal-title":"Body Mov. Dance Psychotherapy"},{"key":"B55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"101614","DOI":"10.1016\/j.aip.2019.101614","article-title":"Dancing to projective identification in couples therapy - qualitative research and practical application","volume":"67","author":"Shuper Engelhard","year":"","journal-title":"Arts Psychotherapy"},{"key":"B56","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"126","DOI":"10.1080\/15332691.2018.1481801","article-title":"Embodying the couple relationship: kinesthetic empathy and somatic mirroring in couples therapy","volume":"18","author":"Shuper Engelhard","year":"","journal-title":"J. Couple Relationsh. Therapy"},{"key":"B57","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"302","DOI":"10.1007\/s10465-019-09302-w","article-title":"Ghosts in the bedroom - embodiment wishes in couple sexuality: qualitative research and practical application","volume":"41","author":"Shuper Engelhard","year":"","journal-title":"Am. J. Dance Therapy"},{"key":"B58","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"204","DOI":"10.1080\/17432979.2019.1653373","article-title":"Review of comprehensive research in dance-movement psychotherapy for couples (DMP-C) and systematic treatment guidelines","volume":"14","author":"Shuper Engelhard","year":"","journal-title":"Body Mov. Dance Psychotherapy"},{"key":"B59","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"102","DOI":"10.1007\/s10591-018-9474-x","article-title":"Introducing movement into couple therapy: clients' expectations and perceptions","volume":"41","author":"Shuper Engelhard","year":"2018","journal-title":"Contemp. Fam. Therapy"},{"key":"B60","volume-title":"Pocket Guide to Interpersonal Neurobiology: An Integrative Handbook of the Mind","author":"Siegel","year":"2012"},{"key":"B61","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"113","DOI":"10.1002\/jclp.22319","article-title":"Romantic relationships and relationship satisfaction among adults with asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism","volume":"73","author":"Strunz","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Clin. Psychol."},{"key":"B62","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1007\/s10465-019-09296-5","article-title":"The effectiveness of dance\/movement therapy interventions for autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review","volume":"41","author":"Takahashi","year":"2019","journal-title":"Am. J. Dance Therapy"},{"key":"B63","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"907","DOI":"10.1016\/j.rasd.2011.12.004","article-title":"Mental and behavioral symptoms of person's with asperger's syndrome: relationships with social isolation and handicaps","volume":"6","author":"Tani","year":"2012","journal-title":"Res. Autism Spectrum Disord."},{"key":"B64","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"347","DOI":"10.1080\/08098131.2019.1605616","article-title":"But I want to talk to you! Perspectives on music therapy practice with highly verbal children on the autism spectrum","volume":"28","author":"Thompson","year":"2019","journal-title":"Nordic J. Music Ther."},{"key":"B65","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"326","DOI":"10.1037\/int0000026","article-title":"I'm a translating body: Therapists' experiences working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder","volume":"26","author":"Vulcan","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Psychotherapy Integr."},{"key":"B66","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"49","DOI":"10.1016\/j.aip.2019.02.001","article-title":"Body and movement in couple intake: the intake phase","volume":"64","author":"Vulcan","year":"2019","journal-title":"Arts Psychotherapy"},{"key":"B67","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"59","DOI":"10.1080\/17432979.2014.893259","article-title":"Dance movement psychotherapy with an adult with autistic spectrum disorder: an observational single-case study","volume":"9","author":"Wadsworth","year":"2014","journal-title":"Body Mov. Dance Psychotherapy"},{"key":"B68","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"18","DOI":"10.1007\/s10465-018-9271-y","volume":"40","author":"Wagner","year":"2018","journal-title":"Couples Dance\/Movement Therapy: Bringing a Theoretical Framework into Practice. Am. J. Dance Therapy"},{"key":"B69","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2760","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2018.02760","article-title":"Multi-scale coordination of distinctive movement patterns during embodied interaction between adults with high-functioning autism and neurotypicals","volume":"9","author":"Zapata-Fonseca","year":"2019","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Psychology"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2021.619936\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2021,2,20]],"date-time":"2021-02-20T14:08:14Z","timestamp":1613830094000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2021.619936\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2021,2,18]]},"references-count":69,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpsyg.2021.619936"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2021.619936","relation":{},"ISSN":["1664-1078"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1664-1078","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2021,2,18]]},"article-number":"619936"}}