The Use of Panel Theatre in Developing Communication Skills for Children with Special Needs: A Case Study of a Child with Developmental Disorders

Abstract

Panel Theatre created from Japan is a method of expression in which pictures or letters made by paper attached or detached on a cloth board to develop drama, stories combined with games, singing and movement. Panel theatre has many advantages to develop communication for children with disabilities. In this study, panel theatre was used in intervention to develop communication skills for 1 child with developmental disorders through exposing him to materials, performing motor activities in combination with listening to stories and letting him participate in the drama activities which were adapted to his communication abilities. The results show that the child has improved attention, imitation, alternation, language understanding and using skills. These results show that it is possible to use panel theatre in intervention for children with developmental disorders and further studies should be considered in the future.