Sharing the stage: Inclusion theater programming, social participation, and quality of life

Background: Social participation is a crucial Quality of Life (QoL) factor. Inclusion theater programming allows rehabilitation providers to collaborate with arts professionals to provide rich, authentic, inclusive therapeutic experiences for individuals with communication disorders secondary to intellectual and developmental disabilities and neurodivergence. Methods: Qualitative thematic analysis was used to examine semi-structured interviews with five parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) or neurodivergence regarding their child's participation in an inclusion theater program. Results: Parents described a typical social landscape that discourages social participation for neurodivergent children and children and adolescents with IDD. They appreciated the structure of this inclusion theater program, which they contrasted with their child's everyday reality. They described that both program design and personnel supported individualized learning. Perceived benefits included development of friendships and a sense of belonging within a community, along with encouraging demonstrations of confidence and self-advocacy. While this opportunity was held up to contrast their everyday social reality of exclusion and bullying, parents found this singular annual program insufficient. They pledged to advocate for better community education to expand inclusion opportunities. Discussion: Social participation, a key QoL element, was observed by parents of children engaged in this inclusion theater program and credited for perceived positive benefits. Parents believed that the structure of the program promoted learning and skill growth, increases in personal factors such as confidence and self-advocacy, along with development of community, and a sense of responsibility that empowered the children. Success experienced in such programming can lead parents and children to try more mainstream opportunities.