A Case Study of Therapeutic Process Autistic Children As Performing Art In Indonesia

Children with autism are children who have communication problems that make them isolated from their environment. Art, has flexibility in the delivery of communication through the symbols that are in it. This makes art appear as one of the media communication options for children with autism. In its relation with other disciplines, any methods of healing or therapy are collaborating with art. This study discusses how to see the autistic child's therapy process as a show that can be enjoyed aesthetically and artistically. This study uses practice-led research and ethnography approach. The study was conducted on single case, R, children with autism in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The results showed that the identification of aesthetic and artistic aspects that can be used as a reference to see the therapeutic process as performing art can also improve communication and memory skills in children with autism. In addition, the therapeutic process seen as the performing arts can increase the confidence of both children with autism, their families, and their audience. It is expected that there will be an integrated therapy process that can be a new therapy model to improve the quality of life of children