Zoom Autism Magazine Issue 3 Spring 2015 | Page 27
you pretend to be someone you are not, which is
quite common in the autism community, especially for Aspergian girls who have a tendency to
be perfectionists and people pleasers, which can
lead them to act according to what they think the
person will want even if they wouldn’t typically
act that way when alone.
If we can give our kids the tools they need to help
navigate and understand others better, maybe
they can find their true selves. Perhaps they can
learn to wear a mask for fun, but when it comes
time to remove the mask, they will have a stronger self behind it. No longer will they feel judged
for being anyone but themselves. Isn’t that what
we all really want – a chance to just be accepted
for who we are?
“Subtleties that so
many take for
granted are crucial to
social interaction.”
Drama or Acting Programs in the USA for Kids
with Autism and Special Needs
Following are just a few of the more well-known acting programs. Depending on the program, principles and methods can
vary widely. Some use neurotypical peers to model behaviors
and facial expressions whereas others used trained performers to encourage the children to draw on their own creativity.
As with anything you try with your children, I recommend
researching programs extensively and knowing the principles
they are based upon before enrolling your child to make sure t