Helen Miller, autism coordinator for the Manhattan, KS, School District, received a Summer 2012 grant to pay a drama therapist to lead three after-school clubs for elementary and middle school students with autism spectrum disorders.

Helen, who works with Sally Bailey, a professor of drama therapy at Kansas State University, says she first saw how successful dramatic outlets for children on the autism spectrum and their peers could be at the school’s summer camps.  Last spring, a group of professionals and parents started the after-school clubs.  The focus was on drama and friendship for students who often do not have friends or opportunities to socialize and play with their peers.  By the end of the school year, the students were able to produce a video. 

Helen writes:

Both children and parents considered this a hugely successful program. Not only did the children have friends to spend time with, their social skills improved and their self knowledge was enhanced as well as their appreciation of other “languages” we can use to communicate with one another.

With the grant from Emily’s Fund, the school district in 2012-13 offered two drama clubs for elementary students and a film making/drama class for the older students.

Helen writes: "We truly see the need for these after school clubs to meet the need for friendship, meaningful recreation and self expression that is so often lacking for kids with ASD.”  She says she understands that for the most part, we want to keep the grants in Massachusetts, “but if you venture out of state, I would recommend Kansas!”

In Emily’s many years teaching Hampshire Shakespeare children’s workshops, she often spent considerable time with participants who had various degrees of autism.  To honor that work and Emily’s roots in the Midwest, we chose to support Helen’s work in Kansas.