Is it possible for aspies to dance?

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I think that for questions like "Is it possible for autistic people to ________?" then the answer is almost always "Yes, there's got to be at least one, maybe quite a few, autistic people who can do that."

Because we tend to be good at things in part based on what area our interests lie in. Despite the stereotype of computer nerds and stuff, some (sometimes very few, sometimes a good number) autistic people can also do well in such areas as acting, politics, social work, teaching, sales, modeling, clinical psychology/counseling, sports, and other things considered usually more stereotypically "NT". For each of those areas, I can actually think of one or more specific autistic people who have gone into it.

I do know many autistic people who enjoy dancing, including even several autistic ravers, and have even been won over recently to the idea that dancing can be fun, but I haven't ever asked to see if they're good at it. (Personally, I was put in formal dance lessons as a form of physical therapy for walking trouble when I was a child, but I don't think I was particularly good at it. My mother had to shape my body into the proper shapes.)

Yes. I have a dance perseveration, have had since I was a tiny child. And so, I'm a good dancer, despite my aspie clumsiness.

Hell yeah I can dance. First off, music has a lot to do with it and then the time of the beat. I loved taking dance and still do, it's like a release for me. Yes I am an aspie, part of being an aspie for me is asking for help. If you like to dance, don't be hard on yourself. In my experience, I think males and not all males but most I've seen have problems with coordination. Don't let Asperger's label you. I see a lot of normal people have glitches in dancing. I like to dance to the fast paced music. I don't like to have deal with another partner when it comes to waltz which I ain't crazy about. But it's a learning experience.

I'm not fit enough to dance. Plus, it doesn't interest me.

Breakdancing is cool though.

I can't dance, and the main reason is because I was born too early, and my legs are screwed up as a result, but that's only a part of it. The other part of it is that my weird little Aspie mind tells me I am a combine harvester, and that I drive on wheels, not walk on legs. Imagine a combine harvester trying to tango. That's how I look when I dance.

I've been told I'm a good dancer once. Although that's really only when I actually wanted to dance. The last time I did was quite a few years ago. I'm not all that into dancing. Sometimes I do a little toe tapping dance though along with music in stores, or if I'm bored. It's kind of a stim I guess. I have fun with it.

I never realized so many people took dancing so seriously. I always just thought it was just a bunch of stupid looking moves to practice with a member of the opposite sex, but I hear people talking here about the improvisation, individual style, and soul that goes into it.

And can someone tell me what a rave is?

I'm pretty coordinated for any guy, AS or not, I don't think that's the issue. I think my problem was I'd never even tried before and wasn't expecting to go out there.

To GoatOnFire...

You must take dancing seriously if your are to become any good at it...

Anyone who can follow a baseline can shuffle around on a disco floor/mosh pit type area. It takes dedication, practice, and effort to develop sense of rhythm and timing and flair for "proper" dancing.

Choreographed dance is fine, "freestyle" or whatever you want to call it is not fine (i.e. very, very bad.

Have fun at the NSync concert.



Electronic music parties which were popular in the 90s.

I couldn't dance to save my life. Funny analogy, as I've missed out quite a few times on a beautiful girl simply because I was so afraid of attempting such an action

I'm not too bad, though I haven't done much dancing of late. My mum forced me into dancing when I was a child. Did it for about 7 years, ballet, tap and modern. Surprisingly, my favourite as it turned out was ballet. I enjoy dancing in a club but it takes a lot to get me out on the dance floor but once I am I find it hard to stop. People are often quite shocked that I can dance. I actually tend to get a bit embarrassed by being able to dance and try to tone it down alot which sort of ruins the enjoyment.

I have never been that crazy about raves, maybe there's better raves at other places. Mostly, the raves I'd see was a bunch bumping and grinding I even had few partners teach me how to do that, hated it. I can't go anymore because that's when I'd get trashed and hang with the wrong crowd, lot of bad consequences that eventually came out of that. Plus, with me being clean and sober now, I'm just not into steady electro music and the bumping and grinding, I get uncomfortable. Not saying all raves are bad just the ones in my opinion. Go to one and check it out. I like freestyle dancing personally with some hiphop and music that's melodious. Also to correct myself, I didn't mean all men we're not well coordinated just the ones that were in a dancing class I took. Another thing too about raves they don't always allow alcoholic beverages but there was a lot of pills and crap like that people took to get in the mood. Again, these were just my experiences at raves.

Sorry, I'm posting again. Just more advice in raves don't go if you have a seizure disorder, lot's of flashing lights. Didn't mean too sound too negative they can also be awesome. Just be careful.

Yes, I was involved in the 'tail-end' of the movement (circa 99-02) as a teenager, attending many local raves during those years. I also experimented with many substances at the time, and my experiences (contrary to media portrayals in general) were mainly positive. I was always in control, my usage was only occasional. There were plenty of nights where I remained completely sober - dancing, having a good time with friends without any chemicals involved. It's been at least 6 years since I've ingested anything illegal, and I've never been much of a drinker or smoker. Some of us (likely due to genetics) never become addicts. I believe individuals must decide for themselves whether to pursue or avoid usage of substances. I'm a supporter of harm-reduction education and interested in discussions regarding decriminalization.

It just seems like there are so many names for different dances and I don't see how I will ever learn it if I have no one to practice with regularly. Are there some people who are natural dancers or does everyone have to learn it?

I'm no fan of techno or pop so I doubt I'll be going to any raves any time soon anyway.