Description
Book SynopsisThis book teaches drama and immersive theatre-based activities for parents and professionals working with children and young people on the autism spectrum. The exercises follow the author's simple, person-centred '3C pathway' of connecting, calming and communicating, and enable parents to gain an understanding of the challenges an autistic child may face by 'walking in their shoes', while empowering children to become more self-aware and express themselves in healthy ways.
The activities included in the book are tried-and-tested, accessible and easy to implement, such as breathing exercises, mirroring movements, and treasure hunts. Using these activities, parents and professionals can gain insight into the sensory and social challenges experienced by those on the spectrum and can work to build a positive and trusting relationship, offering a secure base for children's emotional development.
Trade ReviewThis book is an excellent and informative analysis of autism in a readable, accessible and relatable way. It is both contextual with the theories of autism and personal accounts which humanise the experiences. Anxiety is the main premise and strategies are shared to offer the reader different strategies for their young ones (and adults) to explore. Highly recommended. -- Paul Isaacs speaker, trainer, consultant and author on the autism spectrum
This is a very positive book that is supportive and the exercises are well described and have been developed and refined in many settings. The authors also stress that the exercises can be personalised as parents 'enter into their child's world and 'lean in' to their passions. -- Mary Mountstephen * SEN Magazine *
Table of ContentsIntroduction
1. Act for Autism: who, what and why?
2. Creating the Practice: Clear Time and the 3C Pathway
3. Connecting through drama
Autism and the Senses
4. Why autism is hard to understand
5. Understanding autism as a sensory difference and the link to anxiety
6. What autistic individuals say about their sensory experience
7. The senses and how they impact on a child's experience
Connecting through Clear Time and the 3C Pathway
8. What is Clear Time?
9. The first C: Connecting
10. The second C: Calming
11. The third C: Communicating
12. Why is heartbeat so important for the 3C Pathway?
13. The role of drama exercises in our work
14. 3C Pathway exercises
Conclusion
References
