The Shakespeare and Autism Project

What is The Shakespeare and Autism Project? 

It engages autistic individuals in sensory drama games exploring social and communicative skills in a play-based, inclusive environment. Embedded in the games are explorations of eye contact, spatial awareness, turn-taking, facial expression and emotion recognition, imitation, improvisation, humor, storytelling, social communication and more in a physically active and playful atmosphere.

What is the Hunter Heartbeat Method (HHM)? 

A method that emphasizes a low ratio so children receive individual attention as they play the games and explore core social skills and communication. The Shakespeare and Autism Project has been a transformative experience for families and facilitators in Central Ohio for over a decade. In addition to positive research findings, the feedback from parents, children and educators has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic.

Objectives: 

• Provide introductory teaching artist training in HHM as part of the Shakespeare & Autism Project mission to create engagement opportunities beyond Central Ohio. 
• Provide autistic children and young adults with an initial experience of the HHM workshops. 
• Provide an opportunity for interested parties to see the HHM in action during a workshop with children. 
• Build new collaborations between the Shakespeare and Autism Project and communities throughout Ohio. 

More information on the Artist Laureate program: https://go.osu.edu/artistlaureate For more information to register for the workshop, email Nathan Wallace - wallace.419@osu.edu