"Programs like Joanne's Autism Movement Therapy offer opportunities for our kids to develop the necessary and fundamental skills that benefit all our kids. Art saved my life!"
- Temple Grandin, PhD
Temple Grandin, PhD, well known author, advocate and Colorado State University professor, tells us that 'repetitive rocking motion that requires a person to continually find and refind their balance stimulates areas of the brain where learning receptors are located.'
"Joanne Lara seamlessly combines artistry with science as she takes the viewer through easy to understand, easy to implement movement exercises and activities for children with special needs. I highly recommend her aut-erobics DVD to any one who works with children on the autism spectrum."
- Elaine Hall, Founder of The Miracle Project (Autism: The Musical), Author: Now I See the Moon: a mother, a son, a miracle
Realizing that the arts of movement and music are important to all, Joanne elevates this vital component of intervention to new levels. People on the autism spectrum (as well as everyone else) need to move!" -Stephen Shore Ed D, on the autism spectrum, Professor of Special Education, Adelphi University. Internationally known author, consultant, and presenter on issues related to autism
Joanne Lara has been instrumental in the further enrichment of my skills and knowledge, especially in developing our Autism Certificate at National University. Thus the exploration of ‘Autism’ only benefits from Joanne and her work.” -Kay Dee Caywood, Ph.D., Lead Faculty, Special Education, National University
"Give me the chance to come through.All I ever needed was the music, and the mirror, And the chance to dance..." Cassie, A Chorus Line
Ms Lara is available for workshops, lectures, keynotes and private consultation. For booking and speaking engagements contact:
We now have AMT centers in Los Angeles, Tarzana, San Diego, El Dorado Hills Ca, Miami & Pembroke Pines Florida, Philadelphia, Sellersville, Pottsville & Lansdale PA, Fremont, Defiance, Miton, Norwalk & Bryan Ohio, Chicago & Charleston & Pana Illinois, Springfield MO, Brownsville, TX, Calgary & Quebec Canada, and Wales, UK. AMT is currently in the Pennsylvania School District, P.A.T.H Academy for Autism in Bryan, Ohio, Herkimer Area Resource Center in Herkimer, NY, The Vista Del Mar School in Los Angeles, Autistic Programs Foundation in Woodland, CA and The Lighthouse Center in Mumbai, India. Fisher-Titus Medical Center is excited to be the first hospital rehabilitation center in the state of Ohio to offer the Autism Movement Therapy method.
Joanne Lara is an adjunct professor at National University in the department of Special Education in Los Angeles, California. Lara earned her master's in Special Education; Moderate/Severe & Multiple Disabilities from California State University, Northridge and a B.A. in Dance from the University of South Florida. She holds a California Moderate/Severe Education Specialist K-12 teaching credential and taught in the Los Angeles Unified School District for over 10 years, where she worked exclusively with students with autism. Ms. Lara is the director of the behavioral ABA branch of Autism Movement Therapy-AMT based in Los Angeles, California.
Joanne Lara taught dance in the Los Angeles Unified School District Arts Prototype program, delivering standard based instruction to K-6th grade general education students as well as special needs students. Ms. Lara has written extensively about Environmental Toxins and Autism (see Research), and presents "Autism Movement Therapy" certification workshops and lecture/presentations throughout the United States.
Autism Movement Therapy, Inc a nonprofit organization, is focused on serving the autism community by supporting autism research (Dr Martha Herbert PhD, TRANSCEND RESEARCH PROGRAM - Mass General Hospital for Children), environmental organizations (The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) & the Environmental Defense Action Fund (EDF) as well as providing community outreach.
Through cognitive re-mapping, Joanne Lara's successful Autism Movement Therapy® is an interhemispheric SENSORY INTEGRATION technique incorporating movement and music in collaboration with Positive Behavior Support (PBS) strategies to assist individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in meeting and achieving their speech and language, social and academic IEP goals
Please consider making a generous donation/gift to Autism Movement Therapy, Inc. Your gift will help bring the joy of music & movement to so many individuals with autism and related disabilities who otherwise would not be able to participate in a formal, structured dance program. In addition, your donation will help fund autism research at one of the leading hospitals in the world, Mass Gen Hospital for Children. Together we can make a difference!
In the field of Therapeutic Recreation (TR) field, we are always looking for fun and innovative ways to help our participants and patrons reach their potential. I was thrilled when Joanne agreed to come to our Illinois Parks and Recreation Conference. It didn’t matter what kind of background attendees had, dancer, TR Coordinator or parent; everyone took something away from Joanne’s sessions. - Breane Cory, CTRS Recreation Coordinator, Therapeutic RecreationRockford Park District
We love the program! One little boy started the program at the end of June, he never spoke a word and would stand in the corner. Last class he actually sat and did circle time and said his name. His mom was in tears, she had only heard him say mom and dad. I can not thank Joanne enough for creating such a fantastic program. The kids love the class and I love seeing them improve every class! - Erica Matthews, Director The Autism & Movement Project-AMT Pana,Il
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This workshop is one that has so much universal applications! It is good for the heart, it is good for the soul and it is excellent for those with Autism!!!!! - Lisa Gifford, Director Herkimer Area Resource Center, Herkimer, NY
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Joanne is a terrific personality. She is kind hearted and sweet like 'gummy bears' . She has a clear, scientific and systematic approach of using music and movement with children. We had a terrific workshop and on day 1 we had children to work with Joanne. It was a treat to watch Joanne and children participating, enjoying and responding in their first class of AMT itself. I think it was MAGIC of Joanne and AMT. - Malavika Samnani, Consultant & Head, SOCH, Gurgaon (India)
Joanne thank you for sharing your knowledge and love with us! We can't wait to implement your program at our school and SEE YOU AGAIN! You have touched so many lives and you are so very much admired by all of us!!! - Leslie Jarvis-Gettis, Director Peaches School of Dance and Music, Miami, Fl
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Joanne Lara knows that the brain needs the body to move. In this DVD she gives the gift of her artful knowledge to children with autism, helping them to fulfill their wholeness and their potential. - Martha R. Herbert, Ph.D., M.D., Massachusetts General Hospital, Center for Morphometric Analysis/Pediatric Neurology, TRANSCEND Research Program Harvard Medical School
I think every family in the autism community should check out this program. In just one weeks time my grandson has done a complete 360 with his behaviors. I have also seen changes for the better in both receptive and expressive language areas, socialization and ability to transition without becoming over stimulated. Thank you Joanne!!!! - Cheryl Miller(Grandmother), Top Notch Cheer Gym, Fremont, Ohio
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Autism Movement Therapy is a solid method we have chosen to integrate into our DRAGONFLIES program. We have seen firsthand the reorganizing of the brain. The students are opening up their minds to self expression, behaviors are decreasing and the non-verbal children are increasing in speech and language skills. Thank you Joanne, for creating a method that works. - Julia Boyd, Jacob’s MOM, Director of DRAGONFLIES Special Needs Program -Mattoon/Charleston Illinois
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Julia Boyd was gracious enough to share her time and talents in my classroom last year (2010-2011). I was a teacher at the Neil Armstrong Program. My class consisted of students with severe learning issues—most testing in the moderately impaired range. Her son Jacob was a student in my class. He has Autism and we (Mom, school staff, EIU Speech, and many others) have been working to help Jacob improve his communication skills. His improvement had been steady but in small increments. I noticed marked improvements in Jacob’s eye contact and responses after Julia began exploring Autism Movement Therapy last year. All of the students in my class responded positively. It was clear that they were highly engaged and so were the staff. The listening skills of all the students showed improvement. Jacob’s responses to questions continued to increase. I believe that this therapy is a great tool that can show good results. - Sue Miller Giacomini, Special Ed. Teacher, Mattoon, Illinois
Joanne's DVD clearly encourages movement on both sides of the body, alone and together, which is a brain exercise in mainstreaming the two hemispheres. This type of exercise, done at the child's own pace in their natural and undistracting environ, will allow them to optimize the benefits of movement therapy. The particular process of amt is interesting and certainly deserves its place in the home learning environment for individuals with ASD. - Sharon Hensel – Cohen M.S., C.C.C. (Licensed Speech/ Language Pathologist)
Wow, I was taken aback by Joanne’s class. It was great and I loved it, loved it, loved it. They are already using the program in the dance room here at Gail W. Brown Center. It has helped bring folks out of their shell who are not only Autistic but have other diagnosis as well. Thank you for an enlightening 2 days. - Kathy Berner, COTA Herkimer, NY
Such an Awesome training! We implemented it the following day and the consumers (adults) loved it! Our folks with Autism participated in the morning and were very vocal throughout the rest of the day! “Autism Movement was a lot of fun! Looking forward to continuing to see progress with our folks participation. Very beneficial training! Thanks! They Love it!
Thought that the workshop was fantastic. I was interesting to see how music effects people on different levels and that it will be greatly effective with all disabilities. The workshop showed us how to adapt all strategies to fit anyone’s disability not just those with Autism . The consumers that we have tried the program with have loved it, some of them have asked to have a copy of the CD so they can listen to it at home. Joanne was wonderful, very energetic and made everyone feel at ease. Thanks again. -Sheri Kominick, COTA, Herkimer, NY
I found the workshop to be very interesting and educational. It was fascinating to learn about the brain and how it functions within someone diagnosed with Autism. It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to meet Joanne and to learn from her. Her dedication to helping individuals with Autism is amazing. I had a blast learning the movements. I had the opportunity to watch some consumers doing AMT at the Gail Brown center in the dance room. Almost every individual was up and moving and seemed to truly enjoy the exercises. I believe that the skills I learned through Joanne’s workshop will benefit me throughout my career. -Rachel Atwater, Day Service Advocate, QMRP, Herkimer, NY
The movement Therapy is so simple to do & yet it clearly is very productive and necessary for development. If we had lots of fun learning and attending this 2 day training and I can’t imagine others not enjoying themselves as well. It wasn’t like we were working! - Teri Smith, Day Service Advocate, QMRP, Herkimer, NY
Joanne Lara, Autism Movement Therapy founder, is Technical Advisor/Consultant on Kiefer Sutherland's new FOX TV show 'Touch.' Sutherland plays the father of a 10 year old non-verbal boy with special needs who can see into the future. Danny Glover & Gugu Mbatha-Raw also star along with David Mazouz. Fox TV.
Autism Movement Therapy (AMT) provides children with Autism a world of fun and exciting sensory/motor experiences. Importantly, AMT may preclude the development of behavior challenges, often associated with Autism, and/or may minimize the frequency and intensity of such behavior. AMT as a relaxation technique holds the promise of assisting children with Autism with emotional regulation -- while they are engaged in a typical, age-appropriate and social activity -- dance!! - Richard A. Mesaros, Ph.D. Professor - FERP Department of Special Education, Michael D. Eisner College of Education, CSU Northridge
"Joanne Lara knows that the brain needs the body to move. In this DVD she gives the gift of her artful knowledge to children with autism, helping them to fulfill their wholeness and their potential." - Martha R. Herbert, Ph.D., M.D. Harvard Medical School - Massachusetts General Hospital, Center for Morphometric Analysis/Pediatric Neurology, TRANSCEND Research Program
My husband and I were at your 2:30 session this past Sat. How interesting, the whole concept of remapping the brain. We would give anything to help our special needs boys, 8 and 10. The 10 year old has been struggling with the affects of Autism and how it impacts his education. A very sad story of a boy struggling. You give us hope that we can be an active part in helping him. If we could help him remap his brain to the degree of making the difference in impovemnt of learning. What a miracle. You are wonderful, you made it simple to get for someone who is so beside herself at times with her son's disadvantages. You made it fun. I may have to sit at times, but we will be active fans in this movement therapy. You are one of our Angels guiding us. God Bless you. It was a blessing to meet you, talk to you and experience your program. - Sincerely, Peggy
Joanne, I just want to say a huge heartfelt "thank you" as a mom of an autistic child, for all you've done to help individuals and their families affected with autism throughout the years. You are truly a wonderful and special lady and I wish there were more people in this world like you:) -Roseann Barnardin, Trabuco Canyon, Ca
Testimonials
" I am truly grateful because she has improved greatly since being diagnosed at the age of 2. Along the way, a variety of autism therapies have been tried... Simply put, my daughter loves this program. I do too."
