A Psychological Perspective to Dramatic Reality: A Path for Emotional Awareness in Autism. Issue 1 (March 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pimpas, Ioannis
• Is Part Of: Dramatherapy. Volume 35:Issue 1(2013)
• Page Start: 57
• Page End: 63
• Publication Date: 2013-03
• Subjects: autism -- dramatic reality -- emotional awareness -- social skills training programs; Drama -- Therapeutic use -- Periodicals; 616.89152305
• DOI: 10.1080/02630672.2013.774223
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-0672

Abstract

The aim of this case study is to present the preparation and the creation of a dramatic reality by a nine-year-old, verbal, autistic girl, which could enhance her emotional awareness and appropriate emotional responses by connecting feelings to their appropriate causes. Dramatic reality demands the ability to pretend and the use of symbols, which are considered to be impaired in autism. Emotional awareness, identification of one's own emotions with the appropriate causal – explanatory framework is often hampered as well. This case study describes the use of dramatherapeutic methods in social skills training programs in autism.