ADHD Experts Podcast 586- Movement As Medicine: How Music, Movement, and Dance Transform the Neurodivergent Brain
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Dec 2, 2025 Join Julia C. Basso, Ph.D., an expert on how music and movement influence brain function, as she discusses the transformative power of dance for neurodivergent individuals. She explains how movement enhances mood, focus, and emotional regulation while addressing ADHD and ASD. Discover practical techniques such as breath work and specific movement patterns to foster social connections and reduce anxiety. Basso also shares insights from a theater intervention study that improved self-esteem and social dynamics. Tune in for accessible ways to integrate movement into daily life!
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Mind And Body Are Linked
- Movement practices engage both external sensory receptors and internal interoception to regulate mind and body.
- Dance and mind-body practices target cognitive and bodily systems simultaneously to improve regulation.
Movement Targets ADHD/ASD Brain Mechanisms
- Exercise affects the same neurochemicals and brain areas implicated in ADHD and ASD.
- Movement increases functional connectivity and supports executive function, mood, sleep, and learning.
Online Dance Reduced COVID Isolation Effects
- During COVID isolation Dr. Basso's online one-hour dance program reduced depression and negative affect.
- Participants reported increased self-esteem and social connectedness after a single session.
