Social skills, emotional growth, and drama therapy : inspiring connection on the autism spectrum / Lee R. Chasen ; foreword by Robert J. Landy.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Dramatic encounters -- Engaging the pervasive developmental disorders -- Drama : mirroring the neurological soul -- Constructing a drama-therapy approach to social skills -- Recognition : establishing roles -- Unity : building ensemble -- Character : reflecting goodness and appropriateness -- Plot : organizing events -- Diction and reasoning : social scripting, facial cues and body language -- Complication and resolution : interactive language skills -- Comedy and plot : broadening perspectives and constructing solutions -- Actions and life : simulating events -- Reversal : individualized scripting -- Episodic outline : tools for reflection and celebration -- Reflections : I see you.

Drama therapy provides valuable opportunities for children on the autism spectrum to interact and connect with others in a fun, supportive environment. The innovative model of drama therapy described in this book is rooted in neuroscience, and designed specifically to develop social, emotional and expressive language skills in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Lee R. Chasen provides an accessible explanation of the theoretical foundations, concepts and techniques that make up the approach, and describes in detail a thirty-session drama therapy program which uses creative and playful tools such as guided play, sociometry, puppetry, role-play, video modeling and improvisation. Scenarios drawn from his own practice provide useful insights into the practicalities of setting up and running such a program, as well as into how children's social, emotional and expressive language skills deepen through their immersion in this unique approach. This book will be of interest to drama and creative arts therapists, as well as teachers, school psychologists, counsellors and other professionals who work with children with autism spectrum disorders.

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