The ASA's 39th National Conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders of ASA

The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Scottsdale, AZ

http://www.autism-society.org/
For a complete author index with session numbers, please click here
Friday, July 11, 2008: 10:45 AM-12:00 PM
Tampa 1
#3501- Attitude Change of Primary Pupils Towards Peers with ASD: Briefing on Drama-in-Education Workshops
From August, 2007 to January, 2008, a series of drama-in-education workshops were conducted in Hong Kong primary schools, titled as “Open Windows of the Minds”, in collaboration by the two speakers. The objective of the workshops was to improve mainstream students’ attitude towards peers with ASD and promote peer support for students with ASD included in mainstream classrooms. We conducted 62 workshops for over 3,300 primary pupils. The results from both quantitative and qualitative considerations are encouraging.

Presenters:Eva Shui Ying Lai, Ed.D., Hong Kong Institute of Education, Teaching Fellow - Eva’s commitment to the education of children with special educational needs is long-standing. This includes being a special school teacher for over 15 years, and her involvement in providing programmes at HKIEd for teachers working with children with special educational needs (with ASD in particular) since 1999.

Mandu James Yim Cheung Cheung, B.S. (Social Sciences), Mandu Shed of Creation, Creative Writer - Mandu is a freelance creative writer, writing mainly drama scripts. He voluntarily serves individuals with ASD in Hong Kong, China, Macau and Singapore, and organisations which serve these people. His direction of creation is to create pieces with love and caring themes on sustainable living, minorities and social justice.

 
There will be three parts in the proposed presentation-

1.1. Related perspectives

2.2. Implementation

3.3. Effectiveness

Related perspectives: Eva will discuss the perspectives related to promoting an inclusive culture including-

l- the present situation of inclusive schooling in Hong Kong

l- the challenges of inclusive schooling, with the inclusion of children with ASD in particular, in Hong Kong

l- the need for advocacy, with children with ASD in particular

Implementation: Mandu will describe the implementation process of the drama-in-education workshops including-

l- basics of drama-in-education

l- idea generating

l- securing community support

l- actor recruitment and training

l- creative process

l- contents of the workshops

l- some points to note

l- some technical information about the workshops

Effectiveness: Finally, Eva will discuss the effectiveness of the drama-in-education workshops based on the questionnaire exercise.  She will present the findings from the questionnaire exercise and other qualitative considerations on the effectiveness of the workshops.

How the session contributes to best practice and advances the field of ASD

Children with ASD are generally considered as the most challenging students with special educational needs in inclusive settings.  In Hong Kong, mainstream students’ lack of understanding about the needs of their ASD peers has failed many students (both mainstream and ASD) to co-operate, support and stay in harmony with each other.  The project is the result of collaboration between special education experts and drama artists.  This is a new attempt in Asian countries and will provide inspiration to related professionals all over the world.

Others

The presentation will take about 75 minutes.

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