I have mentioned the benefits of drama-related therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorders in various earlier posts:
- a post on the nonprofit, ‘Actors for Autism’, and also the ‘Tools of the Mind’ curriculum, which includes regular Mature, Extended, Pretend Play as an integral part of the program;
- a post on short form improvisation games for Autism Spectrum Disorders and the work of Norfolk, Virginia-based, Katie Anderson;
- a post on Shenanigans, an Atlanta, Georgia-based applied theatre program for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and related conditions across all life stages - children through adults.
Cindy Schneider is another pioneer in the field of drama therapy for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders, and author of the 2007 book, Acting Antics: A Theatrical Approach to Teaching Social Understanding to Kids and Teens with Asperger Syndrome.
Schneider has a number of years of experience providing the ‘Acting Antics’ program for students diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and other social cognition deficits…
Here is a set of slides on ‘Setting the Stage for Social Success’ presented by Schneider recently at the National Autism Conference in State College, Pennsylvania: http://www.outreach.psu.edu/programs/autism/files/13_and_23_presentation.pdf
Finally, a short video giving a sample of Schneider’s program through the ‘Sell Your Partner’ activity: SELL YOUR PARTNER
(source: http://www.actingantics.org/HOME_files/brochure%20Jan%202012.pdf)