Autism Arts Level 2: A drama syllabus for children on the autism spectrum will help children on the autism spectrum develop their communication skills, life skills and self-confidence through arts and drama therapy. Autism Arts Level 2 is intended for use with medium functioning autistic children and young people and Level 2 introduces the addition of many vocal components and begins exploring the concept of imagination. There are more opportunities for student-led elements and using self-expression. All components repeated from Autism Arts Level 1 will be of a slightly higher level. Creative arts and drama-therapy are increasingly used to help people with special educational needs to explore, reflect and develop when linguistic ability or intellectual functioning restricts their self-expression. Level 1 of the Autism Arts drama syllabus, for use by facilitators with and without drama experience, encourages children on the autistic spectrum to learn, interact and develop by integrating sights, sounds, touch and movement.The aims and goals of Autism Arts Level 2 are to bring greater self-awareness and an ability to interact with peers, with activities designed to extend eye contact and gain a deeper sense of self. Autism Arts Level 1 also encourages imaginative play using props and objects to create make-believe settings as well as ample opportunities for simple problem solving, and for voicing ideas to the group.
Abigail Barragry has worked around the world using the arts as a tool to teach, empower and bring groups together. She has spent extensive time in Malaysia where she pioneered the use of drama in education and for psychosocial development. Abigail has given numerous presentations on the benefits of creativity and expression in mental health, and conducted extensive research on this area at the University of Malaya. Abigail has been doing drama with children and young people for many years to target specific barriers faced by individuals and groups. In particular, she has created programmes for children on the autistic spectrum, those with Down's syndrome and those who have not had the same positive start in life as their peers. As director of a performing arts enrichment centre, Abigail has spent considerable time fine-tuning programmes, training teachers and closely monitoring international developments in the field. As drama specialist for the National Autism Society of Malaysia, she created their official three-year drama programme.
About the author; Foreword by Dr Sue Jennings; Introduction; Overview; Level 1,Term 1: Feelings; Term 2: Animals; Term 3: Fairy tales.
