Gainesville Ballet Introduces Class for Children with Special Needs

This month, Gainesville Ballet launched its first dance class designed specifically for children with disabilities.

The six-week class, which started Sept. 10, has enrolled three 4-year-old girls with developmental delays or autism.

For years, Gainesville Ballet has welcomed children with disabilities into its mixed-ability classes and performances. The new program was designed to provide a supportive environment with teachers trained specifically to teach children with special needs, The Washington Post reports.

Onica Hobbs, the class’ lead instructor, received special training from Gainesville-based Casper Minds on how to integrate therapy for children with autism or sensory processing disorders into the curriculum.

If there is sufficient enrollment, Gainesville Ballet hopes to start a Saturday class for children with disabilities in October.

The class is hosted in the Gainesville Ballet studios at 7528 Old Linton Hall Road in Gainesville.

For more information, visit gainesvilleballetcompany.org.