Creative Approaches to Learning
and Teaching for Young People with
Autistic Spectrum Condition and the
Additional Value of Expressive Arts
as part of a Multi-Disciplinary
Curriculum.
Lesley Fleming 2011
“If a child cannot learn in the way
we teach, we must teach in a way
the child can learn.”
(Lovaas, in Stevens, 2009)
“It is the process that is
important... not the product.”
(Peterhouse School; Arts)
1.
Why we think ‘The Arts’ are beneficial
2.
Arts and Autism
3.
4.
Using ‘The Arts' and Creativity and its
impact in teaching ASC
Achievements and Generalisation
 Music
 Dance
 Drama
 Art
 Creative
Writing
Arts and Autism
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Learn in different ways.
Have strengths in certain areas.
Often prefer routine, structure, predictability
Find communication, interaction and flexible
thinking challenging.
Often have strong interest in one particular
area
Attention to detail
Like rote learning
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Motivational resources
Led by child preferences
Non-threatening
Often play based
Often experiential
Wide variety of activities
Offer a framework to learning
Often sensory based
Accessible to all
Fun
 Child
success
 Increased self esteem
 Incidental learning
 Self occupying skills
 Generalisation of skills
 Life long learning
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Child led learning
Adaptable curriculum
Motivational resources
Motivational focus
Adapted lessons
Differentiation
Experiential
Fun
Lifelong learning
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Goal setting
Holistic and integrated thinking
Team work/ negotiation
Seeing the ‘big picture’
Exploring ideas
Developing concepts
Planning
Problem solving
Incidental learning
Success and achievement
Life long learning
singing
Playing
Loud/ soft
I want music
CHOICE
listening
Go to concert!
Accompaniment
Who with?
Where?
What song ?
Fun
relaxation
Choice =
singing
Performance
Why?
Genre?
All working to a shared goal
Planning and negotiation
Sharing an idea
Thinking & problem solving
Working as a team
Observational learning
Feeling of fun
Recognition of success
Thriller
Working at
individual levels
Making a choice
Feeling of having a good time
Euphoria on completion
‘I feel nervous...’
‘I’ve never done it before’
‘I can’t go into the
‘I want to do it
hall for
but I’m
I am performing on
assembly’
scared’
stage with my
friends for the first
time.
‘I’m just keeping
my hood up...no one
will know its me’
‘I’ve got stage
fright’
‘Do I have to do it?’
‘I feel fantastic’
‘I am proud of
myself, mum and
dad are proud’
‘I had a great time’
‘It was brilliant’
Performed on
stage for the
first time with
my friends.
‘It was my choice’
‘It felt good’
‘I couldn’t do
it before but
now I can
‘I want to do that again!’
‘Next time I’m going to...’
‘I’ve got a great idea’
‘I’ve got a plan’
Successful
and
Independent
‘I can...’
‘I want to do ... I need to make a plan’
‘I know what I want to do...’
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Motivation
Effective
communication
Interaction
Negotiation
Problem solving
Thinking
Planning
Team work
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Sharing
Choice
Wow Factor!
Empowerment
Increased self-esteem
Self gratification
Ownership
Confidence
Independence
Generalisation
“There is no doubt that creativity is the most
important human resource of all. Without
creativity, there would be no progress, and
we would be forever repeating the same
patterns....Creativity involves breaking out of
established patterns in order to look at things
in a different way.”
Edward de Bono
(Psychologist and writer in creative thinking)
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The Arts... In detail
Quote
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Music
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Singing
Playing
Drumming
Instrumental lessons
Sensory
Relaxation
Choice
Performing
Technology
Composing
Bands
Music Assisted
Communication
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Art
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Drawing
Painting
Sculpture
Ceramics
Photography
Exhibitions
Group work
Animation
Young enterprise
Scenery/ props
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Drama
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Expressive Arts
Shows
Creative writing (script)
SALT
Interaction
Workshops
Cross curricular
Animation
Community Access
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Dance/ movement
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Performance
Expressive Arts
Dance clubs
Choreography
Routines
Shows
Group work
Yoga
Relaxation/ sensory
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Media/ Music
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iMacs
iStop Motion
Garage Band
Recording Studio
IT Suite
Kaoss Pad
iTunes
Animation
Radio Shows
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Sensory
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Massage/ Aromatherapy
Yoga
OT
Art
Music
Science
Tents
Light room
Dark room
Sensory programmes
“Creativity is the cornerstone of integrative
and adaptive thinking, for making social and
emotional connections, using language and
representational thought, exploring ideas and
developing concepts.”
Jonathan Cohen 2001