Triveni Goswami Vernal
Registered Special Educator (CRR: A64010)

Drama Therapy is a form of expressive arts therapy that utilizes tools from theatre and drama, such as story-telling, role playing, creative body movements etc to improve mental health, facilitate social communication and foster personal growth.

WHAT DOES RESEARCH SAY ABOUT DRAMA THERAPY AND NEURODIVERSITY?
Dramatherapy for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic integrative review, Loukia Bololia et al, The Arts in Psychotherapy, Volume 80, September 2022 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2022.101918) cites the following in its Abstract,
“…there is limited empirical research in this field. The present study adopted an integrative approach to systematically review the published research on the effects of dramatherapy sessions for children and adolescents with ASD, aged under 19 years; aiming at offering an in-depth and holistic understanding of the impact on emotional, psychological and social domains. Nine research studies utilising different research designs, namely six qualitative studies, two quantitative studies and one mixed methods were identified and integrated in this systematic review. A textual narrative approach was employed to synthesise the findings which suggested that dramatherapy can support children and adolescents with ASD by fostering behavioural, expressive and social skills and promoting emotional well-being through the use of various art forms and techniques”.

A Study on Drama Therapy to Promote Imagination Development of Autistic Children–A Case Study in Guangxi, China Lin Kechen et al, Pakistan Journal of Life and Social Sciences http://www.pjlss.edu.pk (https://doi.org/10.57239/PJLSS-2024-22.2.00878) cites the following in its Abstract,
“The goal of the case study in Guangxi, China, is to analyze the use of drama therapy to encourage the development of autistic children’s imaginations. A sample of 32 individuals aged 4-7 years old, consisting of 21 males and 11 females, participated in an 8-week experiment. The experiment involved drama therapy sessions held twice a week, with each session lasting for 30 minutes. Notably, none of the participants had prior experience with drama therapy. Pre- and post-intervention data were gathered to evaluate enhancements in emotional expressiveness, social interaction, and imagination. Feedback from parents and teachers was also collected to assess behavioral modifications in natural environments. The data was analyzed using statistical approaches, such as descriptive statistics and tests. The results demonstrated significant improvements in imagination and creative thinking, along with positive changes in social interaction and communication”.

A review of literature on the therapeutic use of drama to support communication with young Autistic children, Meabh Ivers,
Dramatherapy, Volume 45, Issue 1, Apr 2024, p. 51 – 69, (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1386/dj_00004_1) cited the following in its study,
“Findings from systematic reviews, point to the strengths of dramatherapy as a modality that adjusts to the abilities and needs of people with cognitive difficulties and difficulties in verbal expression. This flexibility supports self-expression, imagination, communication and social skills development. The authors recognized a need to define mechanisms of change and components specific to dramatherapy, as the profession’s lack of a unified protocol may affect research findings (Fenigar-Schaal and Orkibi 2020: 78; Bololia et al. 2022: 10). .. Other systematic reviews overlapping arts therapy approaches include outcomes linked to drama, autistic children and communication such as Amonkar et al. (2021: 15) who included theatre-based interventions which reported medium improvements in social communication domains in theatre-based projects”.

DRAMA THERAPY FOR THE NEURODIVERSE IN INDIA
In India, Late Prof. Parasuram Ramamoorthi, had done extensive work in the field of Applied Drama, especially through his initiative, Velvi Arts for Autism Festival, since 2003. An article had this to say about the festival, “An initiative by Dr Parasuram Ramamoorthi, the Velvi Art for Autism Festival helps children with autism build their confidence through art. The children and their families learn art, music, drama and movement, with the help of experts from India and the US” (cited from the website https://www.ourbetterworld.org/story/how-theatre-tool-can-unmask-autism).
Ameya: Drama for Autism, an organization based out of Hyderabad is actively involved in organizing workshops for individuals on the Autism Spectrum and their Caregivers/Family members in Hyderabad and pan India (https://www.instagram.com/ameyaforautism/) .

COURSES ON DRAMA THERAPY IN INDIA
(PLEASE NOTE: The information has been curated from the web, so please do your due diligence before enrolling in any of the courses mentioned).
https://www.centerforcounselling.org/portfolio/pg-diploma-in-psychodrama-2019-2020-chennai/
https://www.centerforcounselling.org/courses-workshops/
https://tiss.ac.in/view/5/mumbai-campus/centre-for-lifelong-learning-2/joint-pg-diploma-in-psychodrama-between-indian-ins/
PG Certification in Drama and Movement Therapy, TATC X VIMHANS https://www.artstherapists.in/

Thus, we see that Drama Therapy has an immense potential as an alternative mode of therapeutic intervention for the neurodiverse population in facilitating better emotional regulation, building self-confidence, improving social communication and helping them to express their innermost thoughts and feelings.

REFERENCES:
https://intellectdiscover.com/content/journals/10.1386/dj_00004_1
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10048456/
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/9/9/1358
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360406053_Dramatherapy_for_Children_and_Adolescents_with_Autism_Spectrum_Disorder_A_Systematic_Integrative_Review
https://www.gratefulcareaba.com/blog/benefits-of-drama-therapy-for-autism
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Author Triveni Goswami Vernal

Triveni Goswami Vernal is an Autism advocate, registered Special Educator (CRR A64010) and an Independent Researcher. Her areas of interest include Autism, Disability Rights, Gender, Art and Northeast studies. She is a mum to an 12 year old on the Autism Spectrum.

“Christmas Tree”
Acrylic Painting and Acrylic Marker pens on Ivory Paper
Kabir Vernal