title: Brief report: theatre as therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA. blythe@sensetheatre.com
authors.forename: Blythe A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Corbett
authors.forename: Joan R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Gunther
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Comins
authors.forename: Jenifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Niles
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Clayton W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Schupp
authors.forename: Taylor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rios
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D010121:Oxytocin; D006854:Hydrocortisone