Abstract

This case study report outlines the development in dramatherapy of one boy diagnosed with a learning disability. The child was referred by his special education classroom teacher due to frequent temper outbursts, his difficulty socializing with peers and low self confidence. He participated in weekly individual drama therapy sessions for a total of fifteen weeks. This paper will explore one child's creation of his own story of self, alternate to the stories of failure, frustration and tears commonly told about him and will highlight his integration of new abilities including daily coping and certain expressive skills as well as feelings of confidence as a creative story maker. The therapist chose to work through a creative expressive frame that focussed on the child's strengths and creativity. The paper will illustrate how in a safe and success oriented therapeutic environment a foundation of trust and mutual respect was built between therapist and child. The reader will follow the child's storymaking journey through themes of chaos and unpredictability to his gradual discovery of self confidence and self expression.