The use of dramatherapy techniques including role, play, movement and touch in developing and extending a sense of self and identity in young autistic adults

Bottomley, Zoe Alice

Abstract

[From the introduction]:
This research seeks to establish the ways in which dramatherapy can be an effective approach for the development of a sense of self, other and identity in autistic people. Through an understanding of the characteristics of autism and the part that an underdeveloped sense of self plays in autistic behaviours, and consideration of autistic expressions of self, fundamental connections are made between the autistic self and key elements of dramatherapy. Consideration of existing autistic self-expressions and the experiences and perspectives of autistic research participants, parents of autistic individuals, and dramatherapists who work with autistic clients, allows for further understanding of the way autistic people choose to express a sense of self, the characteristics of autism and the main features of dramatherapy. Dramatherapy as an oblique approach that offers the opportunity for creative modes of self-expression, and puts the autistic client in the centre of the therapeutic process, allows for exploration of key characteristics of autism, and the acknowledgment and extension of the existing sense of self in autistic individuals, in accordance with the social model of disability.

Citation

Bottomley, Z. A. (2016). The use of dramatherapy techniques including role, play, movement and touch in developing and extending a sense of self and identity in young autistic adults. (Thesis). University of Hull. Retrieved from https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4218327

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Aug 1, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 23, 2023
• Keywords: Drama
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4218327
• Additional Information: Department of Drama, Music and Screen, The University of Hull
• Award Date: Apr 1, 2016