Participation is possible: A case report of integration into a community performing arts program

Abstract

Typically developing children frequently participate in community recreation activities that enhance their social/emotional and physical development. The inclusion of children with developmental disabilities in these activities continues to be a challenge. This case report investigated the feasibility of including a child with Down syndrome in a community performing arts program. The participant is an 11-year-old female with Down syndrome and mild cognitive impairment. The participant was enrolled in a 14-week performing arts session that included a combination of acting, voice, and dance instruction. She participated in the program with the support of a one-on-one assistant who was a physical therapy student. The assistant facilitated learning the choreography, appropriate socialization, and positioning on the stage. Peer helpers were used to allow for greater independence toward the end of the session and for the final performance. The participant completed the final performance without the one-on-one assistant. The participant's mother completed the PedsQL before and after the performance, and the participant's scaled scores increased in all subsets except for emotional function and the total scales score increased from 51 to 57. With appropriate modifications and the right child/program fit, children with developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome can successfully be included in community programs. Physical therapists can assist families and community programs to make developmentally appropriate modifications to enhance participation.

ACKOWLEDGMENTS

We appreciate the School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community for their progressive thinking and willingness to try and include children of all ability levels in their programs. We thank the participant, her family, and the peer helpers for their participation in this pilot program. We acknowledge that this project was partially funded by a scholarship provided by the Virginia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Program and the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University. The collaboration and efforts of these individuals and organizations strengthen the community and demonstrate acceptance of all children.