Health Care Quarterly:

How the performing arts can help individuals with autism

Challenges with daily life can be common among individuals with autism, a complex neurodevelopment condition often diagnosed in childhood. Varying on individuals’ position on the autism spectrum, they might struggle with holding a conversation or even breaking daily routine.

Engaging in certain activities and experiences — like the performing arts — can help many with autism develop certain skills and comfort levels,.

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts provides professional teaching artists to lead workshops with local children on the autism spectrum, at no cost to participants. These workshops have included activities such as group dances, playing drum patterns and learning to perform when prompted.

Participating children have not only shown great enthusiasm throughout these workshops, but also demonstrated promising engagement and social interaction.

Improving social skills

Social interactions can be challenging for many with autism, especially those experiencing difficulties with interpreting verbal tone and facial expression.

Engaging in arts-based activities can help with forming connections to others. Activities such as singing, dancing and drumming often require listening, collaboration and taking turns. This can help nurture cooperation and teamwork and promotes self-confidence and perseverance.

Alternative form of communication

Many individuals with autism struggle with verbal communication. Engaging in musical or theatrical experiences provides another option to express themselves, while also offering a fun and engaging outlet.

Addressing sensory processing disorder

A prevalent issue among those with autism remains sensory processing disorder, in which certain sensations — such as the feel of some textures, loud noises and bright lighting — can feel unbearable. These sensations can lead to overstimulation that results in a meltdown or shutting down altogether.

Participating in various art forms can help increase individuals’ tolerance for these stimuli. Drumming, for instance, can ease reactions to loud sounds and touching new surfaces.

An outlet with structure

Structure and routine are usually a high priority for those with autism, and many art forms provide just that. Dance, for instance, requires learning and rehearsing specific positions and movements, as well as drilling choreography repeatedly. Pursuing dance can give people with autism the chance to enjoy a fun activity and achieve self-expression, while still adhering to a comfortable structure.

Finding acceptance

Living with conditions such as autism can often create barriers to forming new and lasting friendships. Participating in the arts can provide opportunities to meet and engage with new people.

Providing a productive outlet

Some individuals with autism might focus excessively on various self-stimulating behaviors, such as rocking or hand flapping, which can distract from interacting with others or engaging in activities at hand. These can sometimes serve as soothing behaviors, however, that help with getting through the day. Arts activities such as playing an instrument or exploring creative movement can provide other forms of self-stimulating behavior that are more socially acceptable, while still providing a helpful outlet.

Experience a new perspective

The Smith Center will present the touring Broadway production of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” from September 19 to 24. The show portrays a 15-year-old who is highly intelligent but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life.

This show serves as an accessible way to explore the experiences of a teenager with a neurodevelopment condition.

For information about The Smith Center’s Education and Outreach programs, or about “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” please visit www.TheSmithCenter.com.

Candy Schneider is the vice president of education and outreach at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts.

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