Learn about neurodivergence and get dance-specific strategies to help you support ADHD and/or Autistic dancers in your classes.
Online Dance Teacher Training
Workshops by Leap 'N Learn
Online Dance Teacher Training
Workshops by Leap 'N Learn
Workshops by Leap 'N Learn
How to Support Neurodivergent Dancers
How to Support Neurodivergent Dancers
🗓️ Friday 3rd April 2026 (AEDT)*
⏰ 5:00am-7:00am (AEDT)*
👩🏽💻 Live online
🕺🏽 Individual ticket – USD$49
👯 Team ticket – USD$109
🆓 Free for Leap 'N Learn member studios
👩🏽💻 Live online
🕺🏽 Individual ticket – USD$49
👯 Team ticket – USD$109
🆓 Free for Leap 'N Learn member studios
This session time is best suited to the Americas and some parts of Europe. Check out our other planned session times for April and May here.
Does it seem like you're teaching more and more neurodivergent students in your dance classes?
Are you a little lost on what you can do to support them?
Does it feel like teaching is getting harder?
So many dance teachers want to their classes to be a place where all of their students can experience the joy of dance, achieve their best, and belong.
If it feels like you lack the knowledge, skills, or confidence when it comes to helping students who think, process, relate, and communicate a little differently to their peers, you're not alone.
If you feel like you don't know where to start, who to ask, or even what to ask, then I'm so glad you found me!
Hi, I'm Elena 👋
I'm AuDHD.
And I want to help you be a more inclusive dance teacher.
I'm AuDHD.
And I want to help you be a more inclusive dance teacher.
Teaching neurodivergent dancers doesn't have to be scary, hard, or overwhelming.
And taking a dance class shouldn't be a negative experience for neurodivergent students.
I'm sharing the experiences, strategies, and insights I've learned over the years as an Autistic and ADHD dancer, teacher, studio owner, and dance education researcher.
You'll learn simple tweaks and swaps that will make a world of difference when it comes to supporting Autistic and ADHD dancers and creating safer, more inclusive dance spaces.
These easy-to-implement changes are going to help you be a better teacher overall.
Hi, I'm Elena 👋
Hi, I'm Elena 👋
I'm AuDHD.
I'm AuDHD.
And I want to help you be a more inclusive dance teacher.
And I want to help you be a more inclusive dance teacher.
Teaching neurodivergent dancers doesn't have to be scary, hard, or overwhelming.
And taking a dance class shouldn't be a negative experience for neurodivergent students.
I'm sharing the experiences, strategies, and insights I've learned over the years as an Autistic and ADHD dancer, teacher, studio owner, and dance education researcher.
You'll learn simple tweaks and swaps that will make a world of difference when it comes to supporting Autistic and ADHD dancers and creating safer, more inclusive dance spaces.
These easy-to-implement changes are going to help you be a better teacher overall, because differentiation supports all learners.
What's covered in this workshop
What's covered in this workshop
📚
📚
Get clear on language and key terms.
Get clear on language and key terms.
Learn key terms, perspectives, and concepts in the neurodivergent space, including language and approaches that are considered unsafe or harmful in the Autistic community, and language that is respectful.
🚮
🚮
Ditch the 'disorders'
Deepen your understanding of neurodivergence. You'll learn about the common myths, misconceptions, and stigma associated with Autism and ADHD and be introduced to ways of thinking that don't pathologise difference.
🧠
🧠
One dance class. Different experiences.
One dance class. Different experiences.
Explore differences in thinking, processing, sensing, socialising, communicating and moving. I'll explain what they might look and sound like in a dance class, and what you can do to help.
📢
📢
Real case studies from the dance world.
Real case studies from the dance world.
Hear examples from my experiences working with neurodivergent students, their families, and their support teams. I'll unpack what happened, what worked and what didn't, and how I learned to do things differently.
🧰
🧰
Build your teaching toolkit.
Build your teaching toolkit.
Get heaps of practical strategies, resources, scripts, and ideas you can use to make your dance classes safer and more neuro-affirming. You'll leave more confident and better equipped to support all your dancers.
🙋🏽♀️
🙋🏽♀️
Get your questions answered.
Get your questions answered.
A space where you can ask questions, share what you are seeing and experiencing in class, and (this part matters) get insights from someone who has lived experienced on both sides – as an AuDHD dancer, and as a dance teacher and studio owner.
What's in this workshop?
What's in this workshop?
📚
📚
Get clear on language and key terms.
Get clear on language and key terms.
Learn key terms, perspectives, and concepts in the neurodivergent space, including language and approaches that are considered unsafe or harmful in the Autistic community, and language that is respectful.
🚮
🚮
Ditch the 'disorders'
Ditch the 'disorders'
Deepen your understanding of neurodivergence. You'll learn about the common myths, misconceptions, and stigma associated with Autism and ADHD and be introduced to ways of thinking that don't pathologise difference.
🧠
🧠
One dance class. Different experiences.
One dance class. Different experiences.
Explore differences in thinking, processing, sensing, socialising, communicating and moving. I'll explain what they might look and sound like in a dance class, and what you can do to help.
📢
📢
Real case studies from the dance world.
Real case studies from the dance world.
Hear examples from my experiences working with neurodivergent students, their families, and their support teams. I'll unpack what happened, what worked and what didn't, and how I learned to do things differently by communicating and collaborating with students and parents/carers.
🧰
🧰
Build your teaching toolkit.
Build your teaching toolkit.
Get heaps of practical strategies, resources, scripts, and ideas you can use to make your dance classes safer and more neuro-affirming. You'll leave more confident and better equipped to support all your dancers.
🙋🏽♀️
🙋🏽♀️
Get your questions answered.
Get your questions answered.
A space where you can ask questions, share what you are seeing and experiencing in class, and (this part matters) get insights from someone who has lived experienced on both sides – as an AuDHD dancer, and as a dance teacher and studio owner.
This workshop is for dance teachers and dance studio owners who:
🧡 work with students who are Autistic, have ADHD, and/or other neurodivergences and disabilities
🧡 notice different behaviours and processing styles in their dance students. Your usual strategies aren't working for you (or for your students) and you want practical tips that work.
🧡 want to learn strategies to better support all of their students to participate and achieve their best.
🧡 have heard words like neurodiversity and neuro-affirming, but aren't really sure what they mean, why it matters, or how it applies to a dance class.
🧡 want the language and procedures that reassure dancers and their parents/carers and let them know they are welcome and belong in your studio.
🧡 believe in the power of dance education and want to play your part in making our industry more inclusive.
If you want to be able to better support your students, but don't know who you can ask, or you're afraid to ask, you've come to the right place.
There'll be time for Q&A throughout the session as well as dedicated time at the end, so you can ask questions about your classes and get the support you need to help your students thrive.
❌ I'm not an encyclopedia.
❌ I don't have all the answers.
❌ I'm just one person (and if you've met one autistic person, you've met one autistic person).
👉🏽 But I can point you towards the relevant organisations, resources and the voices that matter, and we can learn more together.
This workshop is a space where you can ask questions and get an actually-autistic perspective.
And if you aren't sure why hearing and learning from Autistic voices matters, then I encourage you to sign up.
Ready to make your dance classes more neuro-affirming?
Ready to make your dance classes more neuro-affirming?
I want to start by expressing how much of a fan I am of Elena and the incredible work she does with Leap 'N Learn. As a teacher who has always loved working with young children, and as a mother of two very different little personalities, I believe everyone in the field of education could learn something valuable from her. Being in the U.S., I was thrilled to finally have the chance to attend a workshop with her. The workshop was informative, clear, and research-based. Elena creates a welcoming environment where participants can ask questions and share their thoughts. I could go on and on about how great it was! I can’t wait for the next opportunity to learn from her again.
Monica de Oliveira
Massachusetts, USA
Answers to your questions
Answers to your questions
Is this an online workshop?
Is this an online workshop?
Yes! This is an online event. You'll get an email with a zoom link to access the session.
We know life is busy and executive function struggles are real, but don't worry, we've got you covered. You can sign up literally a minute before the workshop and you'll receive an email with the link to login right away.
How long is the workshop?
How long is the workshop?
2 hours. This includes time for questions.
Do I need to be a Leap 'N Learn teacher?
No. This workshop is open to everyone. It doesn’t matter if you teach a specific syllabus or have created your own program, the content covered in this workshop is adaptable to any teaching context.
If you are a Leap 'N Learn member studio you get access for free! Check the app and your emails for login details.
If you are a Leap 'N Learn member studio you get access for free! Check the app and your emails for login details.
Is this only for early childhood dance teachers?
Is this only for early childhood dance teachers?
No. This workshop is for all dance teachers, no matter what age or style you teach.
While many of the examples and case studies in this session do relate to dancers aged 3-12 yrs, the knowledge and strategies you'll learn can be applied to all ages.
While many of the examples and case studies in this session do relate to dancers aged 3-12 yrs, the knowledge and strategies you'll learn can be applied to all ages.
Is it suitable for team members who aren't dance teachers?
Yes! And we encourage it, because getting your team on the same page makes a huge difference to student wellbeing.
Usually our workshops are catered to dance teachers, but this session is valuable and appropriate for studio managers, program directors, and mature assistant dance teachers on a pathway to lead teaching roles.
The workshop will cover how dance teachers, assistants, and administrative staff can work together to create safer, more inclusive dance spaces.
Usually our workshops are catered to dance teachers, but this session is valuable and appropriate for studio managers, program directors, and mature assistant dance teachers on a pathway to lead teaching roles.
The workshop will cover how dance teachers, assistants, and administrative staff can work together to create safer, more inclusive dance spaces.
Can you provide a certificate of learning for my CPD requirements?
Can you provide a certificate of learning for my CPD requirements?
Yes! If you have attended the session live online we can provide you a certificate of proof of learning for 2hrs. Please email us after the event to get your certificate.
What's the difference between an individual and team ticket?
What's the difference between an individual and team ticket?
Individual tickets admit one person. They're best for independent or freelance dance teachers, a studio owner looking for professional development for themself, or a studio owner buying for one team member at their school.
Team tickets grants access to anyone in your team. Best-suited to dance studio owners who want to train multiple team members at once and get them all on the same page. If you aren't able to get everyone together at the same time, your team members can tune in from different devices.
Team tickets grants access to anyone in your team. Best-suited to dance studio owners who want to train multiple team members at once and get them all on the same page. If you aren't able to get everyone together at the same time, your team members can tune in from different devices.
Will a recording be available?
Will a recording be available?
No, these training workshops are live online only. We don't want you to sign up for the recording and have it be another unwatched video or PDF download lurking in your inbox that you'll 'get to one day when you have time'. Think about it as committing the time and brain space to learning – just like going to a dance class.
We do run repeat sessions and schedule them to cater to different timezones. Don't see a session that suits you? Get in touch and let us know where you are in the world and what days/times you prefer. If we get enough interest we can always run another session.
I have another question - who can I ask?
Jump on over to the contact us page on the Leap 'N Learn site and ask away! Leap 'N Learn HQ is located in Australia so our office hours and working week may vary from yours. Need a quicker response?
DM us on Instagram @leapnlearn and follow us for teaching tips direct to your feed.
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