The SENSE Theatre program is run as 10 x 4 hour sessions over the course of 2, 4 or 10 weeks culminating in a staged theatre production involving your child. We provide a trained peer to work solely with your child throughout the program, assisting your child with learning the production.
Our Mission Statement
SENSE Theatre®is a unique scientifically proven theatrical program designed to improve the social and emotional functioning of children with autism.
Theoretical and Practical Considerations
The SENSE Theatre program rests solidly on a theoretical foundation from the behavioural, social and psychological sciences. Additionally, the approach is steeped in the rich history and craft of the theatre providing a creative and enjoyable environment in which to learn. While the SENSE Model is theoretically structured, it is fundamentally experiential, practical and individualised. The inclusion of improvisational activities, exercises and play allows for a flowing, spontaneous and natural building of knowledge and experience for SENSE participants.
Skills Targeted in SENSE Theatre include:
Social interaction: reciprocal social engagement with others
Verbal communication: dialogue using to-and-fro communication
Nonverbal communication: use of gestures and other nonverbal cues
Coordinated movement: using verbal and nonverbal communication
Flexible thought and behaviour: spontaneous, improvised ideas
Directed communication: intentional communication with others
Empathic responding: responding to others with mutual concern
Theoretical Psychological Foundations and Interventions
SENSE Theatre was developed and validated by many years of research work. Copies of all published studies associated with the development and outcomes from SENSE Theatre are available to download and read. SENSE Theatre employs the following validated strategies:
Social Learning Theory
Peer Modelling and Imitation
Video Modelling
Constructivist Theory
Applied Behaviour Analysis