Drama Therapy is generally defined as the use of drama and theater processes toachieve therapeutic goals. The technique is often used in schools, hospitals, correctional facilities and the mental health field to achieve behavior change, personal growth and improved emotional stability. Though this not a new method of therapy, it has more recently been used to help those with Autism.

Many people with Autism are in fact verbal, however they are unable to successfully communicate socially. Incorporating theater processes enables the participants practice social skills, learn improvisation and memorize lines to recite with increased emotional awareness. In addition and even more importantly, it gives the participators the opportunity to become an actor, preform a show and get applause for their efforts and in turn get a feeling of social acceptance and achievement.

Cindy Schneider is the author of the book Acting Antics: A Theatrical Approach to Teaching Social Understanding to Kids and Teens with Asperger Syndrome. In the book, Schneider discusses in depth the benefits of using Drama Therapy for those with Autism. She offers classes to both adults and children with a variety of diagnoses including Asperger’s Syndrome, high-functioning Autism and non-verbal Autism. According to her findings,  participants may gain:

• self-confidence not only in performing, but in interactions
• improved self-esteem; pride in their accomplishments
• improved recognition of emotions in others
• improved identification and labeling of own emotions
• new leisure time activity in a group where they can be successful
• new awareness of volume levels and beginning modulation of level
• new skills for functioning as part of a group
• new skills for following directions
• improved ability to interact with peers
• increased self-confidence through success

The organizers of a Drama Therapy Company are usually educated in the Psychology field as well as in Theater fields which gives them more experience and the specialized skills necessary in working with the selected group of participants. It is a bit difficult to locate a Drama Therapy Coach who specializes in Autism,  given the treatment’s relatively new status in the Autism community. The good news is that most Drama Therapy coaches do have the skills necessary to successfully and adequately work with those who are Autistic and can modify their teaching technique to be conducive to the needs of participants with Autism.