The aptly named Not Your Garden Variety (NYGV) Theater in Chico is geared for children and teens with autism. Currently running as a six-week summer program, participants ages 4 to 17 learn new ways to express and interpret emotions, build friendships, and strengthen skills needed for group participation.
For children with autism, significant milestones can be achieved through role-playing, performing arts, music, sensory exploration, and collaborating with peers.
As participants engage in pretend play with peers, they gain an increased sense of body language awareness. Each actor develops a sense of personal accomplishment and self-confidence, and all participate in a final production in front of a live audience.
NYGV Theater takes place at Little Red Hen’s Lifespan Center, located in Chico. A hub of activity and resources, the center’s mission is to promote lifelong access and opportunities for persons within the autism spectrum, and their families, so they can be fully included and participating members of their communities.
In partnership with Far Northern Reginal Center, the Lifespan Center achieves its goals through public awareness, education and research related to autism, serving over 100 children with autism each year.
“The Lifespan Center is Amanda’s favorite place to go outside of home,” says Gagnon. “The theater program specifically is one that she looks forward to every summer.”
Erika Birkholm, senior director of Little Red Hen, says, “We had over 20 children and teens in our Wizard of Oz production last summer. We had a non-verbal young man play Oz using an iPad to speak his lines. Our littlest kids played the flying monkeys, and the older groups wrote jokes to incorporate into the script. We really made this our own and adapted it to our group. It was a very fun, collaborative production that we are all very proud of.”
This summer NYGV Theater embarks on its third year. Registration and program dates will be announced soon. In association with Far Northern, there is no cost for students participating. For more information visit http://www.LittleRedHen.org or call (530) 897-0300.
Posted in: Special Needs
Comment Policy: All viewpoints are welcome, but comments should remain relevant. Personal attacks, profanity, and aggressive behavior are not allowed. No spam, advertising, or promoting of products/services. Please, only use your real name and limit the amount of links submitted in your comment.
You Might Also Like...
Navigating Disability Language Safely and Respectfully
The language revolving around disability can be a contentious issue. Words that were considered progressive only a few years ago are now deemed rude or politically incorrect. With the ever-changing […]
What to Pack in a “To-Go” Hospital Bag in Case of an Emergency
If you’re the parent of a medically complex child, you’re probably used to the unexpected. It’s crucial, especially with everything happening with COVID-19, to prepare for anything, including a medical […]
Special Horses Help Special People – Therapeutic Horseback Riding Benefits All Involved
Heather Parker, owner and founder of Hooves for Harmony in Anderson, is deeply passionate about therapeutic horseback riding. When asked how Hooves for Harmony has changed her life, she answers […]
What to Do if Your Child’s IEP Isn’t Being Followed
If you are a parent of a child with special needs, you most likely know what an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) is. For those who aren’t familiar with the term, […]