Drama helps those with autism prepare for life

Wednesday, 25 November 2009

students learn the power of drama in preparing for life

There are two particularly unhelpful stereotypes of autism. One is that people who are on the autistic spectrum have no imagination. The other is that, like Dustin Hoffman's character in ‘Rain Man', they possess some extraordinary talent or ability and society somehow simply fails to recognise this or help them utilise it.

Both of these misinformed assumptions have been placed under the spotlight by Professor Pasuram Ramamoorthi of Madurai University in India. In a recent visit to the Institute of Education, Professor Ramamoorthi offered teachers from local mainstream and special schools a whole day workshop on drama based techniques he uses to help children on the autistic spectrum to develop their communication skills and prepare for real life situations.

Participants explored the use of face painting, masks and the concept of ‘rehearsed response'. The workshop was followed by a well attended open lecture in which Professor Ramamoorthi elaborated on the theory underpinning his work.

By making reference to a number of people on the autistic spectrum who have had notable success in their career as artists, the Professor was able to illustrate the essential inhumanity and wastefulness of deficit models which focus on what people are unable to do.

Working through art, argued the Professor, can help provide children on the spectrum with practical solutions  to personal and social challenges and potentially provide them with a future as self determining, creative adults.

Professor Ramamoorthi was a guest of Dr Andy Kempe, Senior Lecturer in Drama and Dr Cathy Tissot, both of whom are currently engaged in their own research into drama and autism.