Co-Construction of a Dance Class Adapted for Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy

To co-construct a dance class adapted for adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP).

A three phase co-construction process with study collaborators was used to (1) define the objectives and the obstacles and opportunities related to offering a dance class in the community through three focus groups with adolescents, their parents and study partners; (2) co-create the dance class based on the results of step 1, the expertise of the research team and the logic model of the dance class; and (3) test the dance class to evaluate its effects in relation to the defined objectives.

Three objectives were identified: to have fun, promote movement, and social interaction. A weekly dance class (60 min./10 wk) was continuously tested on the adolescents and adapted by the dance facilitators.

To improve practices and support the implementation of dance classes for young people with CP, eight recommendations are proposed relating to the creation of adapted classes and the evaluation of their desired effects.