Theatre and Therapy Project: An Interprofessional Exploratory Pilot Study

Abstract

The Theatre and Therapy Project was an interprofessional exploratory pilot study designed to examine the efficacy of theatre as a therapeutic intervention context for adolescents and young adults with intellectual disabilities and autism, all of whom had moderate to severe communication impairments. Undergraduate and graduate students from Departments of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Theatre and Dance were recruited, as well as eight client participants ranging in age from late teens to mid-twenties. The study used a pretest–posttest design using specific subtests related to communication, self-direction, and social domains from the ABAS-3 Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Third Edition were administered, as well as a survey measuring the self-confidence of client participants. Activity-based intervention and video modeling were used to teach targeted speech, language, and social goals. This article describes implementation of this innovative program aimed at improving the communication and self-confidence of client participants. The perspectives of those who were involved in the Project are shared: a parent of a young adult with a developmental disability; students who were involved with providing intervention and collecting data; faculty members and practitioners from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders who supervised the speech-language pathology students; and a faculty member and practitioner from the Department of Theatre and Dance who supervised and worked with the theatre students. And finally, the challenges encountered and perceived benefits of this innovative therapeutic program are discussed.