Lesley Fleming 2011 Creative Approaches to Learning and Teaching for Young People with Autistic Spectrum Condition and the Additional Value of Expressive Arts as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Curriculum.

“If a child cannot learn in the way we teach, we must teach in a way the child can learn.” (Lovaas, in Stevens, 2009) “It is the process that is important... not the product.” (Peterhouse School; Arts)

1. Why we think ‘The Arts’ are beneficial 2. Arts and Autism 3. Using ‘The Arts' and Creativity and its impact in teaching ASC 4. Achievements and Generalisation

 Music  Dance  Drama  Art  Creative Writing

Arts and Autism

 Learn in different ways.  Have strengths in certain areas.  Often prefer routine, structure, predictability  Find communication, interaction and flexible thinking challenging.  Often have strong interest in one particular area  Attention to detail  Like rote learning

 Motivational resources  Led by child preferences  Non-threatening  Often play based  Often experiential  Wide variety of activities  Offer a framework to learning  Often sensory based  Accessible to all  Fun

 Child success  Increased self esteem  Incidental learning  Self occupying skills  Generalisation of skills  Life long learning

 Child led learning  Adaptable curriculum  Motivational resources  Motivational focus  Adapted lessons  Differentiation  Experiential  Fun  Lifelong learning

 Goal setting  Holistic and integrated thinking  Team work/ negotiation  Seeing the ‘big picture’  Exploring ideas  Developing concepts  Planning  Problem solving  Incidental learning  Success and achievement  Life long learning

CHOICE I want music Loud/ soft singing Playing listening Go to concert!

Choice = singing What song ? Who with? Accompaniment Where? Genre? Why? Fun relaxation Performance

All working to a shared goalPlanning and negotiation Sharing an ideaThinking & problem solving Working as a teamWorking at individual levels Observational learningMaking a choice Feeling of fun Feeling of having a good time Recognition of successEuphoria on completion Thriller

‘I feel nervous...’‘I’ve never done it before’ ‘I can’t go into the ‘I want to do it hall for but I’m assembly’ scared’ ‘I’m just keeping‘I’ve got stage my hood up...no one fright’ will know its me’ ‘Do I have to do it?’ I am performing on stage with my friends for the first time.

‘I feel fantastic’‘I am proud of myself, mum and dad are proud’ ‘I had a great time’ ‘It felt good’ ‘It was brilliant’ ‘I couldn’t do ‘It was my choice’ it before but now I can ‘I want to do that again!’ Performed on stage for the first time with my friends.

‘Next time I’m going to...’ ‘I’ve got a great idea’ ‘I’ve got a plan’ ‘I can...’ ‘I want to do... I need to make a plan’ ‘I know what I want to do...’ Successful and Independent

 Motivation  Effective communication  Interaction  Negotiation  Problem solving  Thinking  Planning  Team work  Sharing  Choice  Wow Factor!  Empowerment  Increased self-esteem  Self gratification  Ownership  Confidence  Independence  Generalisation

“There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns....Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.” Edward de Bono (Psychologist and writer in creative thinking)

 The Arts... In detail  Quote

 Music ◦ Singing ◦ Playing ◦ Drumming ◦ Instrumental lessons ◦ Sensory ◦ Relaxation ◦ Choice ◦ Performing ◦ Technology ◦ Composing ◦ Bands ◦ Music Assisted Communication  Art ◦ Drawing ◦ Painting ◦ Sculpture ◦ Ceramics ◦ Photography ◦ Exhibitions ◦ Group work ◦ Animation ◦ Young enterprise ◦ Scenery/ props

 Drama ◦ Expressive Arts ◦ Shows ◦ Creative writing (script) ◦ SALT ◦ Interaction ◦ Workshops ◦ Cross curricular ◦ Animation ◦ Community Access  Dance/ movement ◦ Performance ◦ Expressive Arts ◦ Dance clubs ◦ Choreography ◦ Routines ◦ Shows ◦ Group work ◦ Yoga ◦ Relaxation/ sensory

 Media/ Music ◦ iMacs ◦ iStop Motion ◦ Garage Band ◦ Recording Studio ◦ IT Suite ◦ Kaoss Pad ◦ iTunes ◦ Animation ◦ Radio Shows  Sensory ◦ Massage/ Aromatherapy ◦ Yoga ◦ OT ◦ Art ◦ Music ◦ Science ◦ Tents ◦ Light room ◦ Dark room ◦ Sensory programmes

“Creativity is the cornerstone of integrative and adaptive thinking, for making social and emotional connections, using language and representational thought, exploring ideas and developing concepts.” Jonathan Cohen 2001