Drama activities as tool for socialization of learners with autism

Norfishah Mat Rabi

Abstract

This study aims to describe the process of the development of a creative drama module that could be used as tool for the socialization of learners with autism. Objectives of the study are to identify common socialization deficits of learners with ASD and to develop a module using drama activities.This descriptive study is conducted to investigate how drama activities could be used as tool to help learners with autism engage in social interaction. Data were collected through interviews,observations, and checklist analysis. Semi-structured questions were used in the interviews.Instruments used were interview questions, observation field notes and evaluation checklist.Descriptive analysis was used to examine thecollected data. Findings of the study show that learners with ASD share common deficits in socialization; drama activities are helpful in encouraging socialinteraction among learners with ASD and the module in creative drama could be used as a tool for the socialization. Implication of the study is to provide information to school and center administrators, regular and classroom teachers,and parents of learners with autism on the use of the drama module as a tool forenhancing socialization of learners with autism. Conclusion is that learners with ASD could be helped to improve socialization with others through the use of drama activities.

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