A theatre-based intervention program for the development of social communication, theory of mind, and theatre skills in preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder.

Interdisciplinary researchers from the fields of Theatre, Nursing, Psychology, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy aim to determine the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary theatre intervention program seeking to increase Theory of Mind (ToM) and social functioning in preschool children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  This line of research is based on the idea that many social skills are dependent on ToM and that theatre may be an excellent medium for fostering social skill development. The team will partner with the Carmen B. Pingree Autism Center of Learning in the 2018-2019 school year.