Open Access
American Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences
ISSN (Online): 2378-7031
DOI: 10.46568/arjhss
The Harmonizing Roles of the Arts and Healing with the Autistic: A Study of the Autism Awareness, Care and Training Center in Haatso, Ghana
Department of Theatre Arts, School of Performing Arts, College of Humanities, University of Ghana. Legon. West-Africa
Abstract
Drama in education, as a classroom-based methodology, fundamentally helps to expound on problematic subjects and to
make learning delightful. The dramatic processes are aimed at developing skills of imagination, spontaneity, and mental
flexibility. These skills are geared towards personal development; self-discovery and self-esteem. Autism on the other
hand is a condition or a developmental disability that affects communication, social interacting and repetitive behavior.
According to Stuart Duncan, “Autism is not a disability, it is a different ability. (Stuart 2023). Scientists believe there are multiple causes of autism spectrum disorder that acts together to change the most common ways people develop. Diagnosing ASD can be very difficult since there is no medical test like a blood test to diagnose the disorder. ASD can sometimes be detected at 18 months after birth or even younger. However, many children do not receive a final diagnosis until they are much older.
Drama therapy, psychodrama and the expressive arts therapies are all creative devices explored primarily to achieve healing. The tentacles of these strategies encompass other jurisdictions to include Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience. Clinical Psychology came into existence with the outstanding contributions and efforts to respect and treat all humankind with dignity and respect to ensure healthy human development. Neuroscience has also made us aware of the two hemispheres; and how the right hemisphere or the right brain is more inclined to artistic or visual imagery, and processes more intuitively, holistically and randomly. Drama therapy is a developmental model that places increasing demand on participants to demonstrate great spontaneity, flexibility, intuition and interactive capabilities in creative processes to achieve healing. My students are encouraged to do their volunteer work, and extension works in various regular and special needs schools to help others.
According to Stuart Duncan, “Autism is not a disability, it is a different ability. (Stuart 2023). Scientists believe there are multiple causes of autism spectrum disorder that acts together to change the most common ways people develop. Diagnosing ASD can be very difficult since there is no medical test like a blood test to diagnose the disorder. ASD can sometimes be detected at 18 months after birth or even younger. However, many children do not receive a final diagnosis until they are much older.
Drama therapy, psychodrama and the expressive arts therapies are all creative devices explored primarily to achieve healing. The tentacles of these strategies encompass other jurisdictions to include Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience. Clinical Psychology came into existence with the outstanding contributions and efforts to respect and treat all humankind with dignity and respect to ensure healthy human development. Neuroscience has also made us aware of the two hemispheres; and how the right hemisphere or the right brain is more inclined to artistic or visual imagery, and processes more intuitively, holistically and randomly. Drama therapy is a developmental model that places increasing demand on participants to demonstrate great spontaneity, flexibility, intuition and interactive capabilities in creative processes to achieve healing. My students are encouraged to do their volunteer work, and extension works in various regular and special needs schools to help others.
