I have worked with both adults and children with varied special needs. I have worked for a Boston-based program called Step by Step, and taught dance classes for adults with Down Syndrome and children on the autism spectrum. In each class, I created choreography that both gave them technique practice, as well as gave them space to express themselves. I also encouraged and fostered social interaction in class between students, while always prioritizing safety and comfort for everyone in the room. I also worked for another program called Movement Matters, where I traveled to various nursing homes and assisted living facilities to teach therapeutic dance classes to residents. These classes were influenced by Mark Morris' technique to work with community members with Parkinson's disease. I feel that care, enrichment, togetherness, and connected relationships are things that should be accessible to everyone. Special needs caregiver.