When the show actually started, we were amazed! This team of incredible actors, writers, and director captured not only the attention of their audience, but their participation and hearts as well. We had no idea what to expect and wondered, “How could they adapt their performance to meet a broad spectrum of individual needs? How were they going to keep an audience with a wide range of language and sensory integration skills engaged?”
We had the honor of attending as well! The FlynnSpace Theater was hosting the Chicago Children’s Theatre’s Red Kite Treasure Adventure. Last week, however, children with autism were invited to a theater performance geared especially toward them. Children with autism often have difficulty processing sensory information, attending to auditory and nonverbal communication, and therefore have difficulty being “engaged” during typical communication events: everything from having a book read to them to attending a theater performance. It is more than simply responding to questions: it is a child’s understanding of why it even matters to attend to other people and respond to them. Engagement is the foundation for interaction and social communication. The foundation of communication is self regulation: the ability to keep oneself calm in order to maintain attention and engagement. Read on for the unique perception of these two professionals trained in speech language pathology and the benefits of the Red Kite show to children with sensory-sensitivities.Īs Pediatric Speech Language Pathologists, we are aware of the relationship between an individual’s communication skills and his or her processing of sensory information. Wanting to see what this interesting initiative was all about, our very own speech language pathologists (SLPs), Shaun Stephens and Karen Rodgers, went to check it out. This year’s show, Red Kite Treasure Adventure, was inspired by characters from Edith Nesbit’s The Story of the Treasure Seekers.
Red Kite performances are multi-sensory adventures designed specifically for children on the autism spectrum and their caregivers. Luckily, the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts has considered this parental plight and in doing so has collaborated with the Chicago Children’s Theater to bring Red Kite performances to our area for the past three years. Sounds easy right? Now combine this whirlwind production with the added factor that little Nathan is on the Autism Spectrum and you’ve got one stressed out parent apprehensive of whether going to the show is possible at all. Intermission: Don’t forget the bathroom breaks and reminders not to run up the aisle to get to the bathroom!Īct 3: Once again remind the children the proper behavior when in a public theater since little Julian has been kicking the seat in front of him the whole time, little Mia bumped into someone’s rear end while running toward the bathroom, and little Nathan hummed to himself throughout the entire first half of the show much to the displeasure of the eye-rolling woman behind him. The act of bringing young children to a theatrical performance can sometimes leave parents feeling like stage managers themselves.Īct 1: Gauge the children’s interest in the show’s content, buy the tickets, and teach them the rules and expected behavior when in a public theater space.Īct 2: Make sure everyone is well-rested, well-fed, and properly dressed so as not to get restless, uncomfortable, or complainy mid-show.
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