Journal of Exceptional People

J. Except. People 2023, 12(2):55-64

Aesthetics of creating an inclusive theater of actors with ASD as an intervention tool

Martin Dominik Polínek

Institute of Special Education Studies, Faculty of Education, Palacký University Olomouc, Žižkovo nám. 5, 77140, Olomouc, Czech Republic

The cardinal goal of the article is to point out the connection between the aesthetics of an inclusive theater performance and the degree of rehabilitation-formative work with an individual with ASD. We are based on the assumption and research that the more na­tural (healthier) the psychosomatic existence of an actor with ASD on stage as part of a theater production, the more aesthetically pleasing it is perceived by the audience. We focus on the theater therapy process, the basic means of which is bodily communication and bodily expression, which we consider to be the basis of an inclusive approach, which does not have to rely on words or the intellect as the primary communication channel. The following article aims to: Define the above-mentioned phenomena of para-theatre in such a way that their therapeutic-formative, rehabilitative and aesthetic significance is emphasized from the perspective of (not only) special education. Focus on the specifics of para-theatre work with actors with autism spectrum disorders from the point of view of two different approaches. It is closer to presenting a unique method of plastic-cognitive style of movement so that it can be a possible inspiration for paratheatre work with actors with disabilities in general. The article was also conceived on the basis of research within the project IGA_PdF_2023_021 Re­search on inclusion in individuals with special educational needs and problem behavior with regard to specific interventions.

Keywords: specific theater, theater therapy, plastic-cognitive movement style, specific research, autism spectrum disorders, special educational intervention

Published: November 22, 2023  Show citation