DMT sessions
Dance and Movement Therapy
Dance and Movement Therapy is a psycho therapeutic use of movement to promote emotional, social, cognitive and physical integration of the individual. DMT has wide application in different areas. The basic principle of dance and movement therapy revolves around creating awareness of mind and body and connecting them together through movements.
Movements play a big role in shaping the brain and using it for a purpose. The basic principle of dance and movement therapy revolves around creating awareness of mind and body and connecting them together through movements. Music is also an integral part of this discipline and the therapeutic effect of music on human mind is not unknown. Application of dance and movement therapy on children with Autism aims at addressing the following areas:
- Developing attention span
- Awareness of self and other bodies in the environment
- Orientation and coordination with other objects and bodies in the environment
- Synchronized rhythmic movements develop higher cognitive functions of the brain
- Developing social skills
- Communication ( with an emphasis on importance of non verbal communication)
- Developing gross and fine motor skills
Dr. Aditi Bandyopadhyay
Hony. Managing Trustee &
Hony. Course Director Certificate Course in DMT
Dr. Aditi Bandyopadhyay, is a physician of medicine by profession,a medical faculty, with her parallel interest and identity as an Indian classical Odissi dancer and as a Dance and Movement therapy practitioner. She had training in intervention and management of Autism initially at Thompson Center for Autism in Columbia, Missouri, USA and has also pursued an academic program on Public Health at the University of Missouri, USA. Since then, and even after returning to India Dr. Aditi has been actively involved as an advocate for rights of persons with Autism and other neurodevelopmental delays. Dr. Aditi is presently a clinical faculty of West Bengal University of Health Sciences and is an MD in Medical Physiology.
Dr. Aditi is the founder trustee of SAMYA Foundation for Special Needs, catering to various needs of people with multiple disabilities. SAMYA Foundation is focusing on facilitated clinical services for people with special needs. Dr. Aditi has trained herself in different methodologies of intervention in special education, and has received certification in diagnostic and interventional methods of Autism from different acclaimed and accredited programs. Since 2015, her work with children with Autism and other developmental disabilities through dance and movement therapy at SAMYA has earned her immense recognition. Presently she is working with more than 150 children through this model of Dance and Movement Therapy. She also trains parents at SAMYA as a free community service regarding various interventions and management skills about raising children with disabilities.
Dr. Aditi is a medical faculty in the collaborative DMT program of Kolkata Sanved with the Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL) at TATA Institute of Social Sciences at Mumbai. For last four years she is a resource person conducting DMT workshops for faculty and students at IIM Kozikhode, Calcutta University and recently with Jadavpur University. She also delivers lectures and workshops at different CBSE schools and organizations that cater to special needs group and focuses on inclusion. Dr. Aditi has also been interviewed at different Doordarshan programs for general awareness of people about needs of people with special needsand how to train them through ‘Prasar Bhaarti’ programs on Doordarshan, regarding management and mainstreaming of people with special needs.
Dr. Aditi, who has more than 25 years of experience in Odissi as a performer, choreographer and instructor had run her own dance institution named Nrityaneer (2000-2007) and thereafter was one of the founder members of MU Dance and Recreation Association (MUDRA) at University of Missouri (2008- 2011). A disciple of legendary Guru Padmabibhushan Kelucharan Mahapatra, she has performed in various national and international dance festivals and her productions, ‘Ananta-the Infinite’, ‘SriKrishna Prem Gatha’ and’ Teen Katha ‘ have received recognition and praise by critics. Presently the Odissi dance troupe led by Dr. Aditi focuses on integration of people with disabilities along with regular neurotypicals.
A voice from our Facilitators
Debasmita Das
I am Debasmita Das. Myself, being closely involved with SAMYA Foundation, initially as an intern and then as a facilitator for the past three years has been such a joyful process of growth and learning. Under the guidance of our beloved Dr. Aditi Bandopadhyay mam I have learnt that with dedication and determination every goal is achievable.
Mou Chakraborty
I am Mou Chakraborty. I have been introduced to Dance and Movement Therapy for my child. While working with my child, I realize how useful it is for our children. My interest in DMT grew slowly every day and I enrolled in 6 months certification course on DMT, organised by SAMYA FOUNDATION in collaboration with Jadavpur University. I have been working as a facilitator at Samya Foundation for the past one year after completing the course. And it is a wonderful feeling and experience. Our constant effort is to be with our children, understand their every emotion and feeling, and guide them forward through movements.
Mou Sanyal
I am Mou Sanyal, a Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) practitioner. I have completed Diploma in Dance Movement Therapy from Kolkata Sanved and Certificate Course in Dance Movement Therapy from SAMYA Foundation in collaboration with Jadavpur University. Additionally, I have completed six-month Music Therapy course conducted by ASHWAAS MUSIC THERAPY AND WELLNESS ADVISORY SERVICES LLP in collaboration with St. Mira’s College (Savitribai Phule Pune University). Currently, I am associated with SAMYA Foundation as a DMT facilitator, where I have had the privilege of working under the guidance of Dr. Aditi Bandyopadhyay. Her mentorship has helped me develop a deeper understanding of working with children, adults, and adolescents in the special needs field. This journey has not only been about professional growth but also about personal transformation. SAMYA Foundation has become like an extended family to me, where I have learned that nothing is impossible—as long as you keep learning and striving every day.
Salini Chakraborty
আমার নাম Salini Chakraborty। আমার তেরো বছরের একটি কন্যা আছে। নাম – Avichandra Chakraborty। অভিচন্দ্রার Autism আছে। অভিচন্দ্রা 2017 থেকে SAMYA Foundation এ Dr. Aditi Bandyopadhyay ma’am এর কাছে DMT class করছে। এই class টি করে অভিচন্দ্রার cognitive development, communication skills, emotional thoughts, friendship তৈরি করা-এই বিষয়ক development আমি লক্ষ্য করেছি।DMT subject টি কে আর ও জানার আগ্রহে এবং আর ও অনেক বাচ্চাদের কাছে এই service পৌঁছে দেওয়ার উদ্দেশে আমি 2023-24 e SAMYA Foundation এর Certificate course টি Dr Aditi Bandyopadhyay ma’am এর under এ করেছি।
বর্তমানে SAMYA Foundation e একজন DMT facilitator হিসাবে কাজ করছি। এর সাথে recently আমি NSOU তে Special B.ed course টি study করছি।
Jayita Nandy
I am Jayita Nandy, the mother of a 12-year-old autistic child. I was introduced to Dance and Movement Therapy (DMT) for my son in 2021. DMT has brought amazing changes in my son’s life. It has helped improve his cognitive development, social understanding, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.
Wanting to learn more about DMT, I enrolled in a six-month Certificate Course on DMT for Special Needs organized by SAMAYA Foundation in collaboration with Jadavpur University. I have been working as a facilitator at SAMAYA Foundation for the last one year. I understand that working with children is a continuous process of learning.
Arpita Nanda
I am Arpita Nanda, a Special Educator and a mother to an artistic child . My journey with the SAMYA Foundation began as a parent under the invaluable guidance of Dr. Aditi Bandyopadhyay. To deepen my impactful work, I successfully completed the Certificate Course in Dance and Movement Therapy for Special Needs, organized by the SAMYA Foundation and collaboration with Jadavpur University. Today, I bridge my professional education background, personal parental insights, and therapeutic training to serve as a DMT Facilitator at Samya Foundation, helping special needs children thrive through creative movement.
Priyanka Prasad
Being a trainer at SAMYA for the past 4 years, working with children makes me happy and refreshes my mind and fills me with immense positive thoughts. I have realized that these children, adults and adolescence are beyond a neurotypicals intellect and hard work. At SAMYA our goal is to constantly increase their self-confidence and make them self sufficient so that they cane face any challenge that life throws at them
Anupriya Basu
I am deeply grateful and blessed to be a part SAMYA Foundation. This incredible journey began in 2024 when I joined the Certificate Course in Dance and Movement Therapy for Special Needs conducted by SAMYA Foundation in collaboration with Jadavpur University. I continue to learn from our respected mentor Dr. Aditi Bandyopadhyay Ma’am, other co-facilitators, and above all, from our children. As a teacher by profession, always I dream of Inclusive Education in its truest sense. SAMYA is leading me on the right path indeed. The SAMYA Model of DMT is completely based on scientific research and help in the holistic development of our children. Moreover, being associated with the SAMYA Computer and Skill Training Unit is also an invaluable experience for me. I wish to continue this journey under the guidance of Dr. Aditi Bandyopadhyay Ma’am with full dedication and honesty.
A voice from our Interns from other institutions
Moupikta Mukherjee
PhD scholar
Indian School of Mines
IIT Dhanbad
Researching in the field of disability studies, I have tried to explore how art based interventions effectively helps in ensuring a holistic development for individuals with developmental and intellectual challenges. My experiences at SAMYA Trust was one of a journey where I was allowed to directly interact and participate with the members staffs and children availing the therapeutic module, an exposure rarely provided by any other organization. The hands on training I received helped me understand several aspects of Autism, which can only be learned from experiences and not from any material knowledge.
I also appreciate that SAMYA practices a goal specific approach, where the objectives and requisites are dealt with clarity and expertise.
The endeavor of SAMYA TRUST will definitely create new avenues in the healing modalities practiced in the field of disability services.
Rashmi Maruvada
Law student
Damodaram sanjeevaya national law university vishakapatnam
I am Rashmi Maruvada, a law student. I interned with SAMYA trust in the month of December 2018.
It was an amazing experience interning with this organization. I was there for a very short period but i liked it so much that i want to work again with SAMYA but this time for a longer period. Thank you SAMYA for giving me this amazing experience which was full of learning and fun.
