Brief report: theatre as therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder.
The pilot investigation evaluated a theatrical intervention program, Social Emotional NeuroScience Endocrinology (SENSE) Theatre, designed to improve socioemotional functioning and reduce stress in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Eight children with ASD were paired with typically developing peers that served as expert models. Neuropsychological, biological (cortisol and oxytocin), and behavioral measures were assessed in a pretest-posttest design. The intervention was embedded in a full musical theatrical production. Participants showed some improvement in face identification and theory of mind skills. The intervention shows potential promise in improving the socioemotional functioning in children with ASD through the utilization of peers, video and behavioral modeling, and a community-based theatrical setting.
Corbett
Blythe A
BA
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA. blythe@sensetheatre.com
Gunther
Joan R
JR
Comins
Dan
D
Price
Jenifer
J
Ryan
Niles
N
Simon
David
D
Schupp
Clayton W
CW
Rios
Taylor
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000097:blood; D010379:Peer Group; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D056345:Theory of Mind; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010121:Oxytocin; D006854:Hydrocortisone