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Talking Tips

Arts Advocacy Day Hill Visit Talking Points for the Drama Therapist Delegation 2011

Thank the person for agreeing to see you and to learn about drama therapy. They are very busy people who juggle many responsibilities. 

State why you are there: “I (we) am (are) here today as part of recognition of Arts Advocacy Day and Americans for the Arts Summit. In addition to these visits, key representatives from the arts communities are giving testimony at a special hearing of the House Subcommittee on Interior Appropriates about the societal benefits the arts provide in our country.  My (our) primary purpose is to let you and the Senator/Representative know about our profession and to highlight the benefits of Drama Therapy interventions for the elderly, individuals diagnosed with the autism and individuals diagnosed with PTSD.

Provide a salient example from your work experience. Example, “Our theatre group comprised of elderly residents was meeting after recently producing a successful traditional Christmas pageant. Shirley, a conservative 88 year old Jewish woman and member of that group insisted, despite having just returned from the hospital for surgery, she attend. She entered the room with the help of an aide in a wheelchair bandaged up and pale in complexion. Her spirit and determination reflected the spirit we had in our drama therapy group. Exemplified by Shirley, I was reminded that drama therapy nurtures the will to live, to be involved with others, and to get out of bed.”

Prepare an ask statement of if appropriate, 2 or three. “Will Senator/Congressperson….. support a GAO study by stepping forward as a Co-Sponsor?” or “Can we count on the Senator/Congressperson to join the Arts Caucus/Mental Health Caucus?” (See Arts In Healthcare issue brief)

General Background/ Information

Drama Therapists are highly skilled human service professionals who use theatre arts modalities and creative processes to help people of all ages cope with illnesses and disabilities and optimize health and wellness.

Drama Therapists complete extensive coursework and clinical training before obtaining national credentials which demonstrate competent practice. All drama therapists hold master degrees and are registered by the National Association for Drama Therapy. 

Drama Therapists work in a wide variety of settings including nursing homes, schools, hospitals, prisons, inpatient and outpatient facilities, rehabilitation centers, VA facilities, and wellness programs.

Examples of treatment goals include fostering health, improving communication and self-expression; promoting the integration of physical, emotional, cognitive, and social functioning; enhancing self-awareness; and facilitating change.

Research substantiates the efficacy and treatment outcomes of the creative arts therapies, which have existed for more than 50 years. Drama Therapy has existed for over 30 years.

Benefits of Drama Therapy for Individuals Diagnosed with Autism

  1. Captures and maintains attention
  2. Reinforces positive behavior
  3. Is motivating and enjoyable
  4. Assists in development of language skills
  5. Promotes social interaction
  6. Addresses multiple developmental issues simultaneously
  7. Facilitates learning readiness when paired with academic subjects
  8. Provides structure and order which is reassuring, offering a sense of security
  9. Increases body awareness and sensory regulation
  10. Increases motor planning and cognitive sequencing skills
  11. Lessens anxiety
  12. Enhances understanding of non-verbal cues
  13. Increases emotional awareness and regulation
  14. Decreases impulsivity and distractibility

Benefits of Drama Therapy for Individuals Diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  1. Non-verbal emotional expression
  2. Replaces helplessness with greater autonomy and hope
  3. Provides a safe vehicle to tell story
  4. Enhances interpersonal and social relationships
  5. Reduces anxiety and agitation
  6. Improves sleep quality and sleep hygiene
  7. Improves self-understanding
  8. Promotes verbalization
  9. Reduces negative impacts on immune system
  10. Lessons the recurrence of intrusions
  11. Reduces illness-related visits to the doctor
  12. Decreases physical symptoms

Benefits of Drama Therapy for At-Risk Elderly

  1. Decreases distress from physical pain
  2. Improves physical and mental functioning
  3. Allows development of skills to compensate for sensory losses and disabilities associated with aging
  4. Prevents problems resulting from isolation or neglect
  5. Improves sense of well-being and self-esteem
  6. Provides a place for elderly to feel relevant and valued in society
  7. Helps with healing from losses
  8. Helps learn skills to function after the death of a spouse
  9. Provides opportunities for intergenerational learning
  10. Provides opportunities for sharing of life stories and learning
  11. Provides stimulation and human interaction for people suffering from dementia

 

Provide examples of programs, facilities, or organizations  in the state/district of the legislator you are visiting utilize drama therapy.

Talk about what the Senator/Representative can do to support drama therapy. 

It is recommended that you avoid getting into a discussion about state recognition i.e., registration, certification, or licensure as these issues are STATE related and not Federal. Staff will simply refer you to state legislators. It is important to note that states receive much of their funding is from federal agencies such as the National Endowment for the Arts, National Institutes of Health, Administration on Aging, Department for Defense, etc.