Dramatherapy and Autism

Using extensive examples from practice with a range of client groups, Dramatherapy and Autism confronts the assumption that people with autism are not able to function within the metaphorical realms of the imagination and creativity. It demonstrates that not only are people who function along the spectrum capable of engaging in creative exploration, but that through encountering these processes in the clinical context of dramatherapy, changes can be made that are life enhancing. Bringing in cutting-edge research and practice on dramatherapy, Dramatherapy and Autism aims to contribute to developing the theory and practice of creative arts therapies interventions with clients with autism. The book is part of the Dramatherapy: approaches, relationships, critical ideas series, in which leading practitioners and researchers in the field develop the knowledge base of this unique discipline, whilst contextualising and acknowledging its relationship with other arts and therapeutic practices. Dramatherapy and Autism will be of interest to a broad spectrum of readers, such as dramatherapists in practice and training, arts practitioners and academic researchers engaged in multidisciplinary enquiry.

1Introduction Anna Seymour and Deborah Haythorne 2Dramatherapy and Autism Deborah Haythorne and Anna Seymour 3Entering Colourland: Working with Metaphor with High Functioning Autistic Children Rosalind Davidson 4Do you believe in Peter Pan? Helen Ridlington-White 5Dramatherapy, autism and metaphor – meeting The Silky Stranger Jeannie Lewis 6Supporting agency, choice making and the expression of voice with Kate: dramatherapy in a mainstream primary school setting with a nine-year-old girl diagnosed with ASD and ADHD Emma Ramsden 7Becoming Visible: identifying and empowering girls on the autistic spectrum through dramatherapy Ann Dix 8Introversion, Mindfulness and Dramatherapy: working with young people with autism Jeni Treves 9 Mother, Son and then Some: On Autism, Dramatic Reality and Relationship Maria Hodermarska 10Being Men: Men, Asperger's and Dramatherapy Adrian Benbow 11 ‘Remember me’; Dramatherapy with adults who have autism, complex needs and are non-verbal Adrian Benbow and Jane Jackson 12 Assessing the Impact of Dramatherapy on the Early Social Behaviour of Young Children on the Autistic Spectrum Roya Dooman 13An exploration of the impact of dramatherapy on the whole system supporting children and young people on the autistic spectrum Emma Godfrey and Deborah Haythorne

Deborah Haythorne is a founder and director of Roundabout, the largest dramatherapy charity in the UK. She is a trainer and supervisor for student dramatherapists, as well as experienced practitioners. Anna Seymour is Senior Lecturer in Dramatherapy at the University of Roehampton, London, Editor of Dramatherapy, Journal of the British Association of Dramatherapists and an international trainer.