Movement Works

17/04/2026

We’re excited to launch Autism Moves! 💙

A new after-school project for neurodivergent young people, designed to support physical and social confidence building, connection, and social interaction through fun and therapeutic movement activities.

📍 Tooting Leisure Centre
🗓️ Wednesdays, 4–5pm (term time)
📅 Starting April
Spaces now available.

👉 Find out more and apply:
https://movementworks.org/funded-projects/action-for-autism/

'ACTION FOR AUTISM' (incorporating 'Autism Moves' and 'Artistes for Autism' We have been running our 'Action for Autism' projects for over six years and have made a difference to so many neurodivergent young people. Based on the Autism Movement Therapy® method sessions are held weekly during term-t...

15/04/2026

What if great learning didn’t require long periods of sitting still?

Movement can be the key to unlocking focus, engagement, improving both skills and confidence in children with additional needs.

On 15 May, we’re sharing practical tools you can take straight into your setting.

🎟️ Save your spot: https://movementworks.org/movementworks-for-learning/

14/04/2026

🌎 World Autism Acceptance Month is a great reminder that every brain is beautifully unique 💕 🧠

At MovementWorks we use dance, rhythm and creative movement to support individual development - including for those who are autistic or neurodivergent.

These ideas are also explored by our CEO Ali Golding in her chapter in the new book Move More, Learn More!

Because movement is more than exercise - it helps build better brain function, improving attention, focus, memory, organisation of our thoughts and emotions.

Find out more about our work:https://movementworks.org/funded-projects/

12/04/2026

Did you know that movement can help children learn language and reading skills?.....Simple activities like clapping syllables or marching to rhythms help children connect sounds, patterns, and words through their bodies.

For example:
👏 Clap the syllables in words like but-ter-fly
🚶 March once for each sound in a word
🎵 Sing rhyming songs with hand movements and gestures

These playful activities strengthen understanding, speech patterns and phonemic awareness - a key building block for reading.

It’s a powerful reminder that learning doesn’t happen sitting still.

Explore more ideas in Move More, Learn More!

🔗 https://tcpress.com

09/04/2026

April is Autism Acceptance Month 💙

It’s a time to move beyond awareness and focus on understanding, inclusion and meaningful support.

At MovementWorks, we use developmental dance and movement to support communication, emotional regulation, connection and improve educational and wellbeing outcomes - helping autistic/neurodivergent children and young people become more confident in themselves and their abilities.

Because when we understand development through the body-brain connection, we can support in ways that truly make a difference.

👉 Learn more about our work:
https://movementworks.org/funded-projects/action-for-autism/

'ACTION FOR AUTISM' (incorporating 'Autism Moves' and 'Artistes for Autism' We have been running our 'Action for Autism' projects for over six years and have made a difference to so many neurodivergent young people. Based on the Autism Movement Therapy® method sessions are held weekly during term-t...

06/04/2026

Struggling to support children with additional needs in a way that works for all learners in the classroom?

Our ‘MovementWorks for Learning’ approach uses movement to unlock engagement, communication and development 💡

Join us in London on the 15th of May 2026 to learn how it works in practice.

👉 Find out more & book your place: https://movementworks.org/movementworks-for-learning/

MOVEMENTWORKS FOR LEARNING! Based on the groundbreaking publication 'Move More, Learn More' (Teachers College Press, 2026) This one-day training, presented by programme creator and author, Ali Golding, will introduce the science, theory and application of developmental dance for supporting neurotypi...

06/04/2026

👏 We’re proud to share that MovementWorks CEO Ali Golding has contributed a chapter to the new book Move More, Learn More!.

Her chapter explores how Developmental Dance Movement (DDM) and Autism Movement Therapy (AMT) can support both neurotypical and neurodivergent learners through structured movement experiences.

These approaches combine rhythm, patterning, and creative movement to support:
🧡 Attention and focus
🧡 Communication and social interaction
🧡 Emotional regulation
🧡 Cognitive development

Movement is not simply “activity” - it’s a powerful pathway for learning.

🔗 https://tcpress.com

02/04/2026

💙 World Autism Awareness Day

We’re proud to be launching ‘Autism Moves!’ - a social mixing project for neurodivergent young people in .

Building on our ‘Action for Autism’ project, these sessions give young people the chance to:

✨ Meet others
✨ Build friendships
✨ Grow in confidence
✨ Express themselves through movement

As one parent kindly shared with us about her daughter, “Her confidence has grown and she is much more outgoing… she really enjoys the weekly sessions.”

📍 Weekly sessions | Ages 11–16 | Wandsworth

Find out more or apply:
https://movementworks.org/funded-projects/action-for-autism/

31/03/2026

Movement and learning are deeply connected 🧡

📚 MovementWorks CEO Ali Golding is proud to be a contributor to the new book Move More, Learn More! Exploring how movement, music, and creative activity shape children’s brain development.

The research is clear: when children move, they strengthen the neurological foundations for learning, self-regulation, communication, and social connection.

From rhythm and dance to playful movement activities, these approaches help children build the skills they need for school and life.

Discover more about the book and its ideas here:
🔗 https://www.tcpress.com/products/move-more-learn-more_9780807784051

21/03/2026

At MovementWorks we are proud to be a charity that brings evidence based movement education to children and young people across schools and community settings. Our work supports both neurotypical and neurodivergent learners and is designed to help disadvantaged and vulnerable groups thrive.

We partner with local authorities to deliver programmes that strengthen engagement, communication, and emotional wellbeing. These programmes give schools practical tools they can embed long term, creating positive change that lasts well beyond the sessions.

If your team is exploring new partnership opportunities for 2026, we would be glad to talk about how developmental movement can support your schools and communities.

Explore our programmes:
https://movementworks.org/school-programmes/

19/03/2026

It’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week! 💜

At MovementWorks we celebrate neurodiversity every day through projects like ‘Autism Moves’ and ‘Build A Bridge’, supporting children and young people through movement, rhythm, creative tasks and self expression.

Movement can help develop:

✨ Self Esteem and Confidence

✨ Self Awareness and Emotional Regulation

✨ Understanding and Communication

✨ Co-ordination and Mastery

Every child learns differently - and movement can open powerful pathways to learning, connection and joy.

Learn more about our projects: https://movementworks.org/funded-projects/

FUNDED PROJECTS As a charity we are dedicated to providing meaningful opportunities for children, young people and vulnerable adults to engage with and experience dance and movement based learning. Our work focuses on creating inclusion and equality for those with ill­ health, physical disability, ...

18/03/2026

Research often talks about dance helping adults maintain brain health later in life.

At MovementWorks, we asked a different question.

What happens when dance is used intentionally as an early intervention to support educational outcomes and neurodiverse learners?

Our peer-reviewed research showed a 15% increase in developmental maturity following intervention.

That’s not about slowing decline (neurodegenerative)
It’s about supporting development while it’s still forming (neurogenesis)

🔗 Read the research: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14647893.2016.1204282