Sharing the stage: Inclusion theater programming, social participation, and quality of life

IF 2.6 2区医学 Q1 EDUCATION, SPECIAL

Research in Developmental Disabilities Pub Date : 2025-03-23 DOI:10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104982

Karen Whisenhunt Saar , Monica Kaniamattam , Hannah Huff

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Abstract

Background

Social participation is a crucial Quality of Life (QoL) factor. Inclusion theater programming allows rehabilitation providers to collaborate with arts professionals to provide rich, authentic, inclusive therapeutic experiences for individuals with communication disorders secondary to intellectual and developmental disabilities and neurodivergence.

Methods

Qualitative thematic analysis was used to examine semi-structured interviews with five parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) or neurodivergence regarding their child’s participation in an inclusion theater program.

Results

Parents described a typical social landscape that discourages social participation for neurodivergent children and children and adolescents with IDD. They appreciated the structure of this inclusion theater program, which they contrasted with their child's everyday reality. They described that both program design and personnel supported individualized learning. Perceived benefits included development of friendships and a sense of belonging within a community, along with encouraging demonstrations of confidence and self-advocacy. While this opportunity was held up to contrast their everyday social reality of exclusion and bullying, parents found this singular annual program insufficient. They pledged to advocate for better community education to expand inclusion opportunities.

Discussion

Social participation, a key QoL element, was observed by parents of children engaged in this inclusion theater program and credited for perceived positive benefits. Parents believed that the structure of the program promoted learning and skill growth, increases in personal factors such as confidence and self-advocacy, along with development of community, and a sense of responsibility that empowered the children. Success experienced in such programming can lead parents and children to try more mainstream opportunities.

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共享舞台：包容戏剧节目、社会参与和生活质量

社会参与是一个重要的生活质量（QoL）因素。包容性戏剧节目允许康复提供者与艺术专业人员合作，为继发于智力、发育障碍和神经分化的沟通障碍患者提供丰富、真实、包容性的治疗体验。方法采用定性主题分析，对5位智力发育障碍（IDD）或神经分化儿童的父母进行半结构化访谈，探讨他们的孩子参加包容性戏剧项目的情况。结果家长描述了一个典型的阻碍神经分化儿童和缺乏症儿童和青少年社会参与的社会景观。他们欣赏这个包容性戏剧项目的结构，并将其与孩子的日常生活进行对比。他们描述了项目设计和人员都支持个性化学习。可感知的好处包括友谊的发展和社区的归属感，以及鼓励自信和自我宣传的展示。虽然这个机会被用来对比他们每天被排斥和欺负的社会现实，但家长们觉得这个单一的年度项目还不够。他们承诺倡导更好的社区教育，以扩大包容性的机会。社会参与是生活质量的一个关键因素，参与这个包容性戏剧项目的孩子的父母观察到这一点，并认为这是感知到的积极好处。家长们认为，该计划的结构促进了学习和技能的发展，增加了个人因素，如自信和自我宣传，以及社区的发展，以及赋予孩子们权力的责任感。这样的成功经验可以引导父母和孩子尝试更多的主流机会。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Research in Developmental Disabilities Multiple-

CiteScore

5.50

自引率

6.50%

发文量

178

期刊介绍： Research In Developmental Disabilities is aimed at publishing original research of an interdisciplinary nature that has a direct bearing on the remediation of problems associated with developmental disabilities. Manuscripts will be solicited throughout the world. Articles will be primarily empirical studies, although an occasional position paper or review will be accepted. The aim of the journal will be to publish articles on all aspects of research with the developmentally disabled, with any methodologically sound approach being acceptable.