1. A Theatrical Approach to
Teaching Social Understanding
Katie Anderson, Artistic Director
Play by Play Improv, Inc.
2. Overview of presentation
• Scholarly research for using theater as a
treatment for autism
• What is “improv”, aka. Improvisational
Comedy and how it connects to autism
• Real live demonstration
3. Don’t Take My Word For It:
• Corbett, B., Gunther, J.R., Et. Al. (2011). Brief
report: theatre as therapy for children with
autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism
and Developmental Disorders, 41, 505-511.
• Peter, Melanie (2003). Drama, narrative and
early learning. British Journal of Special
Education, 30 (1), 21-27.
