UCPlay Project April "Autism Awareness" E-newsletter

Overview:
In 2008 United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) introduced a creative enrichment program for children with special needs. The program is a combination of two bodies of knowledge, special education and the creative arts.

Children learn by imitation, from watching and copying the actions, words and experiences in their environment. Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other related disabilities can interfere with this process, making it harder for some children to learn as quickly as their typically developing peers. Children with ASD can find it challenging to understand verbal and non-verbal forms of communication, social behavior or how to engage in the world around them.

Dramatic activity mirrors the imitation process as it gives children the chance to observe and participate in imaginary situations. Drama further provides children with unlimited forms of expression, involves the senses and is not reliant on words. Participants can use gestures, puppets, sounds, rhythms, their hands and their bodies to engage with others and to share their ideas.

Like play, drama can be driven by the child and is not governed by ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers. Drama is a powerful forum for children to engage, make purposeful actions, communicate with intentionality, and experience the pleasure of relationships. Operating outside of ‘real time’ children can manage their degree of involvement and gradually increase their ability to sustain attention.

The UCPlay Project is dedicated to providing children with ASD and other related disabilities on-going creative workshops. While the projects may take many forms, a film, a puppet show, a play or a poem, the heart of our work remains the same and is designed to:

> Give children the opportunity to form relationships, as friendship and community are the most important part of our lives,
> Give children an environment that fosters curiosity, supports their ability to play and learn and celebrates their achievements in a tangible way,
> Gives children experiences and materials that match their individual needs and interests.

What We Do:

UCPlay In-School:
Our rapidly expanding In-School program brings drama and theatre to over 100 students in the Los Angeles Unified School District, Santa Monica Malibu School District and Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District. Classes include games, a physical warm-up, improvisation and the chance to develop a short performance. Our teaching curriculum is decided in collaboration with the classroom teacher, meets the California State Board of Education content standards and is a unique project based on the learning needs of each class.

The UCPlay In-School program is free.

Evaluation:
Formal and informal methods of evaluation and documentation are a cornerstone of our practice. Parents and teachers are asked to take surveys and provide reflections at different times during our program. We also honor the children’s understanding of their own learning and ask them to reflect in words or by illustration their experience in class.

For more information on the UCPlay Project and its’ different workshops, please contact:

Olivia Karaolis
Program Manager
T: (818) 782-2211, ext. 605
E: okaraolis@ucpla.org