Preface Abstract Chapter outline Chapter 1: The need for communication Describing communication The joy of communication The challenges of communication Communicating before words Missed opportunities for communication The importance of context Communication on the autism spectrum Perspectives of autism Developing communication on the autism spectrum Different ways of perceiving Autistic intersubjectivity The influence of the social situation on communication Developmental differences in autistic children''s distribution of interests The double empathy problem Flow states Summary Chapter 2: Communication approaches forms, modes and conditions Approaches to communication Forms of communication Modes of communication Optimal conditions for creating a facilitating environment to support communication with autistic children Summary Chapter 3: Dramatherapy to support communication with autistic children Autism from a drama perspective Dramatherapy with people on the autism spectrum Theories to support dramatherapy practice The enactive perspective Child development and drama Drama intersubjectivity and autism Drama object relations and autism Techniques to employ in dramatherapy practice Creating a facilitating sensory environment Dramatic ritual structure Attunement Mimesis improvisation and spontaneity Play and flow Shared flow states Devising Dramatic reality Words for playing with and words for expression The dramatherapist''s role Summary Chapter 4: Developing an approach, cases from the dramatherapy research study Assessment questions Case examples George Referral and assessment information George''s communication strengths and needs Risk and aversions Aims Rossa Referral and assessment information Rossa''s communication strengths and needs Risk and aversions Aims Klara Referral and assessment information Klara''s communication strengths and needs Risk and aversions Aims Joe Referral and assessment information Joe''s communication strengths and needs Risk and aversions Aims Formulating cases from assessment information Dramatherapy sessions George Outcomes from George''s sessions Rossa Outcomes from Rossa''s sessions Klara Outcomes from Klara''s sessions Joe Outcomes from Joe''s sessions Discussion of outcomes from the dramatherapy study Examples from Klara''s mother''s account Examples from George''s mother''s account Discussion Chapter 5: Devising Flowdramas: A framework for dramatherapy practice to support communication outcomes with young autistic children Procedure Forming modes of communication Modes of expressive communication George''s house game Modes of receptive communication Navigating contact Improvising Rossa''s throwing game Devising Joe''s animal drama sequence Reflecting responding and attempting to understand Klara with the cone Discussion Summary Chapter 6: Setting up one-to-one dramatherapy practice autistic children Contracting assessment and review processes Sociocultural considerations Ascent dissent and autonomy Basic tenets for supporting the child''s agency Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and other conditions Case formulation Clinical supervision and reflective practice The dramatherapy space Dramatherapy session structure Materials Summary Chapter 7: Measuring communication outcomes in dramatherapy Communication subcategories Stages of contact Completing the CROM+DT outcome measure Steps for completion Interpreting the scores Summary Chapter 8: Discussion recommendations and resources Devising Flowdramas Communication outcomes Shared flow states in dramatherapy build gratifying experiences of communication Collaboration with the family Challenges and the limitations The dramatherapy space Limited sessions Anxiety Getting lost in flow The ethical tension of the double empathy problem belongs to us all Learning to wait and give the child time Further applications and progression of the Devising Flowdramas framework Conclusion Appendixes Index.