Catalog of Texts and Theatre Resources. Special Needs in Education & Drama. Drama Games. Arts On The Move - Drama and Students with Special Needs. Drama is often about collaboration and negotiation, and when it is used in mixed-ability groups it can act as a bridge between children with special needs and others in their peer group.
It can enable students with particular difficulties, and provides an ideal environment to encourage students to work together and to develop trust and friendships. There is, however, a danger of assuming that drama is 'the inclusion subject'. This can lead to: A devaluation of the contribution of theatre to academic work A devaluation of the achievements of all drama students The mis-teaching of drama as always accessible The perception of the arts as easy or not requiring basic skills The reduced perception of a subject at which some students with special needs can excel The alienation of special needs students who do not find drama lessons automatically accessible None of these issues serve the student with special needs.
Shakespeare.