Build Collaborative Teaching and Learning Through Improv

Improvisational theatre—better known as improv—is the art of making things up on the spot. But it’s not just funny business! Improv immerses students with social learning challenges in games and exercises that teach, reinforce and draw upon spontaneous application of social communication skills, such as perspective-taking, reciprocity and interpretation of nonverbal cues. Improv allows students to practice nuanced social skills on their feet by creating and responding to limitless contextual offers in the moment. At Indiana University’s “Camp Yes And,” an improv camp for teens on the autism spectrum and their educators, we transform teaching and learning by facilitating social competence between students and their communication partners. Our camp works with speech-language pathologists and other professionals on how to use applied improv techniques to create highly supportive environments. The activities also encourage self-expression, connection with others and self-confidence. Children who use AAC devices put on a play at a family camp to show the world that communicating is more than talking. Inject some performance magic into skill-building by adding stage shows to treatment. Incorporating performances into treatment for aphasia helps participants relearn speech through the arts. The core improv tenet, “yes, and,” makes up the core of our camp philosophy. “Yes, and,” embodies key principles of improv, such as sending messages to others throug...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Tags: Academia & Research Private Practice Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Autism Spectrum Disorder social skils Source Type: blogs