people with disabilities in theatre
Wed, 10 Apr 2002, 03:54 pmWalter Plinge5 posts in thread
people with disabilities in theatre
Wed, 10 Apr 2002, 03:54 pmHi All,
I have a child with Down's Syndrome who is crazy about theatre, and in particular musicals. His speech isn't good, ( after you spend time with him you can understand odd words, spend a long time with him and you can understand sentences ) but his expression is very good. I would be interested to hear from anyone who has had experience with people with disabilities in the theatre, as I would like to involve "Bryn" in some way, in the near future.
regards
Martin
I have a child with Down's Syndrome who is crazy about theatre, and in particular musicals. His speech isn't good, ( after you spend time with him you can understand odd words, spend a long time with him and you can understand sentences ) but his expression is very good. I would be interested to hear from anyone who has had experience with people with disabilities in the theatre, as I would like to involve "Bryn" in some way, in the near future.
regards
Martin
Re: people with disabilities in theatre
Wed, 10 Apr 2002, 09:00 pmHi Martin -
I work part-time as an occupational therapist to support my 'acting habit', and I specialise in school aged kids with disabilities. To keep myself interested I regularly incorporate drama ideas and theatre sports into therapy sessions! Your boy is not the only kid with Down Syndrome with a dramatic streak I've come across - young Mitchell (6yrs) who I work with does one of the finest 'I'm going on a bear hunt's I've ever seen, and Donald, a 19 year old client I worked with, recently toured Asia with his dance group, Vamped.
Your best contact is DADAA (Disability in the Arts Disadvantage in the Arts, Australia). I'm not sure which state you're in but DADAA is active in virtually every state (just check your phone book - it's generally listed under the acronym only). Chair of the national DADAA is DADAA WA's very own Artistic Director David Doyle. They offer courses in all facets of the performing arts, for all ages and ability levels. They also put on at least one major production per year incorporating singing, dancing and acting.
You can go to their website at:
Another option is to look for a private speech pathologist, who may be able to combine drama activities with articulation and metalinguistic exercises. Speech pathologists are trained in drama therapy as part of their course so this may be another option, to address both his dramatic and speech needs. Shop around or get in contact with the Speech Pathology Association in your state and see if they have any recommendations. Many speech pathologists are also singing teachers, so this may be another way for your son to explore his passion.
Depending upon how old he is, you may also want to enrol him in some kind of kids' dancing classes. In my experience, kids with Down Syndrome can generally hold their own with kids their own age without disabilities in terms of coordination, except that they tend to be a little low-tone - but hence very flexible, a distinct advantage in dance! Some kind of gymnastics may also be good, and the motor planning and sequencing skills he would develop as being a part of this will contribute immesurably to his acquisition of reading and writing. Furthermore, the involvement of a person with a disbability in a mainstream community group can only help to raise awareness of disability in the community and in the arts, and shatter the many misconceptions there are.
Sorry to go on and on, but performing and disability awareness are my two passions in life - good luck!
[%sig%]
I work part-time as an occupational therapist to support my 'acting habit', and I specialise in school aged kids with disabilities. To keep myself interested I regularly incorporate drama ideas and theatre sports into therapy sessions! Your boy is not the only kid with Down Syndrome with a dramatic streak I've come across - young Mitchell (6yrs) who I work with does one of the finest 'I'm going on a bear hunt's I've ever seen, and Donald, a 19 year old client I worked with, recently toured Asia with his dance group, Vamped.
Your best contact is DADAA (Disability in the Arts Disadvantage in the Arts, Australia). I'm not sure which state you're in but DADAA is active in virtually every state (just check your phone book - it's generally listed under the acronym only). Chair of the national DADAA is DADAA WA's very own Artistic Director David Doyle. They offer courses in all facets of the performing arts, for all ages and ability levels. They also put on at least one major production per year incorporating singing, dancing and acting.
You can go to their website at:
Another option is to look for a private speech pathologist, who may be able to combine drama activities with articulation and metalinguistic exercises. Speech pathologists are trained in drama therapy as part of their course so this may be another option, to address both his dramatic and speech needs. Shop around or get in contact with the Speech Pathology Association in your state and see if they have any recommendations. Many speech pathologists are also singing teachers, so this may be another way for your son to explore his passion.
Depending upon how old he is, you may also want to enrol him in some kind of kids' dancing classes. In my experience, kids with Down Syndrome can generally hold their own with kids their own age without disabilities in terms of coordination, except that they tend to be a little low-tone - but hence very flexible, a distinct advantage in dance! Some kind of gymnastics may also be good, and the motor planning and sequencing skills he would develop as being a part of this will contribute immesurably to his acquisition of reading and writing. Furthermore, the involvement of a person with a disbability in a mainstream community group can only help to raise awareness of disability in the community and in the arts, and shatter the many misconceptions there are.
Sorry to go on and on, but performing and disability awareness are my two passions in life - good luck!
[%sig%]