Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses the practice and research of dramatherapists working with people with autism in a whole range of settings, with clients representing different demographics, ages, genders and sexualities. It explores origins of dramatherapy and the core elements of its theory and practice. The book describes features of autism and reference critical literature and current thinking about diagnosis and dramatherapy clinical practice. It focuses on how mainstream primary school incorporates dramatherapy into a holistic approach to serving children's emotional and behavioural needs, and highlights the importance of empowerment through dramatherapy. The book also discusses introversion and how the practice of mindfulness incorporated into dramatherapy has been effective. It provides an evaluation of post-therapy outcomes through the use of audio-recorded semi-structured interviews that have been subjected to thematic analysis.