2nd Edition
Using Drama with Children on the Autism Spectrum A Resource for Practitioners in Education and Health
The second edition of Using Drama with Children on the Autism Spectrum takes the perspective that support for the learning and development of children should have the purpose of giving them the freedom to be more fully who they are and able to function more effectively as themselves in a wider range of contexts. The focus of this new edition is on learning outcomes as expressed by autistic people, for example, to develop better understandings about the social world and to know how to manage everyday situations more successfully.
This practical resource book contains more than 150 activities for use with children aged 5–11 years old. Written for mainstream and special education teachers, speech and language therapists, drama teachers, play workers and creative arts therapists, the book shows how using drama with children across the autism spectrum can provide valuable experiences in being with others and communicating with them in enjoyable ways that support the development of well-being and confidence. In addition, drama is presented as a rich medium for reflecting on everyday social situations and developing children’s understandings about the social world.
Complete with case studies, photocopiable resources and step-by-step guidance on how to facilitate drama activities that all children can enjoy, this practical resource will be invaluable for those who are looking for new ways of engaging children on the autism spectrum and their peers. The second edition of this practical resource has been extensively revised, updated and re-focused in line with current practice and thinking.
List of activities
Preface
Introduction
How to use this book
1 An Empty Space Working with the sensory environment
Introduction
Aims
Activities Working with atmosphere and perspective
Exploring shape and colour
Working with opposites
Mirrors
Things to do, say and look for
2 Simple Groups Noticing others and joining in
Introduction
Aims
Activities Beginning and ending rituals
Whole group activities
Activities for pairs in a group
Good group games
3 Sculpting Using the body for expression
Introduction
Aims
Activities Mirroring
Imaginary work with objects and actions
Vocal expression
Sculpting social scenes
4 Props, Puppets and Costume Exploring the language of objects
Introduction
Aims
Activities Objects and their properties
Creative expression using objects
Working with puppets
People as objects
5 Exploring ‘Me’ Different aspects of myself
Introduction
Aims
Activities Group interaction and trust
Me, the facts
Feeling me
My social self
Relaxation
6 Role Playing Exploring roles in everyday life
Introduction
Aims
Activities Call and response warm ups
Exploring roles in the group
Exploring social roles in everyday life
De-roling
7 Storytelling Thinking about what happens next
Introduction
Aims
Activities Two-part story warm ups
Three-part stories
Who? Where? What?
Storytellling structures
More complex stories
8 Improvisation Making sense of social situations
Introduction
Aims
Activities Individual improvisation
Improvisation in pairs
Whole group improvisation
Forum Theatre
More ideas for improvisation
9 Ending Finishing and moving on
Introduction
Activities Activities for session endings
Activities for when the group ends
Resources
References
Index
Biography
Dr Carmel Conn is currently Course Leader for the MA SEN/ALN (Autism) that is offered at the University of South Wales. Carmel is also a researcher and regularly publishes academic articles in journals specialising in inclusion and disability.
