Blythe Corbett’s insights may be unique among researchers developing new interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders – at the M.I.N.D. Institute or elsewhere. Corbett’s Social Emotional NeuroScience Endocrinology (SENSE) lab focuses chiefly on analysis of the behavioral and biological effects of the stress hormone cortisol on children with autism. But her work is informed by the eclectic professional experience of someone with a background in autism diagnosis, brain analysis, behavioral intervention – and acting.
“Results from my studies are revealing associations between a child’s behavior, biological profile and brain functioning before, during and after social interactions,” said Corbett, an assistant professor of clinical psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. “The ultimate hope is that these results will give us a better understanding of autism in order to develop individualized biological and behavioral treatments.”
In her quest for enhanced assessment and treatment of the social-emotional capabilities of children with autism, Corbett has focused on responses of the stress hormone cortisol during various potentially stressful settings, including playground interactions. With playtime periods discreetly videotaped for later moment-by-moment documentation of their behavior, a child with autism and a typically developing child are teamed with a “confederate” child who works with the researchers. They’re given various play opportunities, with their cortisol levels checked before and afterwards to assess their level of stress.
“Although there is a great deal of variability in stress levels among children with autism, many of our subjects seem to find playground interactions stressful–even kids who appear to be enjoying themselves,” explains Corbett.
Her cortisol studies have also revealed that children with autism often have elevated cortisol levels toward the end of the day, in contrast to typically developing children. These studies of cortisol rhythms and responses raise many questions: Do those with autism have heightened sensory sensitivity, leading to heightened stress? Do they have a genetic predisposition to stress? What are the characteristics of the children who show high versus low levels of stress?
“Research is ongoing in my lab to answer these questions,” Corbett said. “It’s clear that understanding the biology beyond the behaviors can help lead directly to new, more effective interventions for our kids with autism, a priority for so many of us in this field.”
Corbett has drawn on her acting background to found a new all-volunteer theatrical intervention program, the SENSE Theatre, which teams typically developing children with child actors with autism to perform musicals and plays for live audiences. Acting provides a natural environment for children with developmental disabilities to better understand emotional expression, learn scripts for typical conversations, have a safe place for repeating those scripts and for developing friendships with peers their own age – and feel the sense of pride that comes from receiving applause from an appreciative audience.
The project also helps develop the concept of video modeling, a tool that allows children with autism learn the behaviors of typically developing children by seeing them on video and repeating their behaviors. SENSE Theatre productions utilize youth actors as expert models who, as part of the rehearsal process, perform the roles in which the children with autism have been cast. In addition to working with the child during the rehearsals, these typically developing actors are videotaped in rehearsal performing the roles, and the children with autism are encouraged to study those videos from home. For performances, the typically developing actors are cast in different roles, giving them the chance to shine in front of audiences, too.
For more information about Blythe Corbett's SENSE Theater, visit their website at: SENSEtheatre.com.
Reprinted with permission from UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute "M.I.N.D. Matters"
Members of SENSE Theatre performed songs from their production of "The Wizard of OZ" this week at the UC Davis MIND Institute.
The cast members were at the MIND Institute on Monday for a tour of the facility and, as part of their visit, performed some of their favorite songs from the show for staff, patients and family members.
SENSE Theatre is a theatrical intervention research program designed to improve the social and emotional functioning of children with autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders. The SENSE Theatre is part of research conducted by Blythe Corbett, a pediatric neuropsychologist at UC Davis MIND Institute. The theatre had a recent production of "The Wizard of OZ" at the Magic Circle Theatre in Roseville. The cast included 15 participants with autism.
Corbett's research arises from the Social Emotional NeuroScience Endocrinology (SENSE) lab, where she focuses on social behavior, emotion perception and stress. Corbett is a former professional actor and writer with a long-standing love for the theatre. The SENSE Theatre program allows her to bridge the worlds of art and science to provide a unique therapeutic environment for children to learn how to think, feel and express in new and meaningful ways.
There’s something about being onstage that transforms Michael Valcour.
Under the bright lights of the Magic Circle Theatre, Valcour speaks with a purpose, dances with ease and sings with complete confidence.
Offstage, he becomes quiet, standoffish and has difficulty with the rhythm and comprehension of everyday conversation.
Onstage, you would never guess that the 37 year-old with a powerful singing voice has autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects one in every 150 American children.
But SENSE Theatre, and its co-founder Blythe Corbett have given Valcour and his 14 fellow cast mates of all ages diagnosed with varying degrees of autism, a chance at showbiz.
“Theater is transforming for anyone, regardless of their abilities,” Corbett said. “But for children with autism, it’s a vehicle for them to express themselves and be social with other typically developing children.”
For the past eight years, Corbett has been studying the social and emotional processes in children with Autism at the MIND institute at UC Davis. A former actress herself, Corbett saw theatre as a form of intervention to improve the functioning of children with autism.
SENSE Theatre is now in its second year bringing Dorothy and the gang to life with “The Wizard of Oz.”
The program has partnered with the Magic Circle Theatre’s master class, which recently held their own production of “The Wizard of Oz,” to pair typically developing children with counterparts with varying degrees of Autism or “buddyies.” The children act alongside each other in full stage productions that improve their social interaction skills.
Ten-year-old Sammie Lee is a veteran actor with Magic Circle, having been in productions since she was four. Her role in “The Wizard of Oz” represents her 28th production, but none has been as impactful, as her role with SENSE.
“(From) the first day we met our buddies to how they are onstage now has been amazing,” Sammie said. “They’re all so good and have improved so much.”
Sammie is partnered with Claire Patton to provide guidance and onstage support in her roles as an Ozian and a Monkey.
“Before she wanted her mom all the time and would whisper everything,” Sammie said. “Now she talks to everyone and gives hugs and actually enjoys being onstage. I’m so proud of her.”
SENSE parent Becky Leung has seen her son, Eric, make major strides in his social skills and coping with conflict.
“He’s very rigid, everything has to stick to a schedule or he gets upset,” Leung said. “But in theatre, not everything is routine. There’s changes and he’s doing better with that.”
A big improvement in her son came on the night costumes were handed out. Eric, a munchkin in the production, was handed his green ensemble and, to his mother’s surprise, didn’t have an outburst about the change in wardrobe.
“He normally will only wear blue and white, his school uniform colors,” Leung said. “Wearing all black and now the bright green without a fit is a big step for him.”
At first, Leung said she was nervous about 12-year-old Eric’s reaction of being on onstage without her supervision. But with the help of his “buddy,” Eric has taken his role, singing, dancing and all, in stride.
“He loves to sing, and being able to do the other things in the play have really built up his confidence,”Leung said. “He has a lot of support and positive reinforcement here. This gives him something to be proud of, something he’ll remember for a very long time.”
Know and Go
Sense Theatre presents “The Wizard of Oz”
When: 7:30 p.m. Tonight
2 p.m. March 7
Cost: Tickets $15
Where: Magic Circle Theatre
241 Vernon St.
Info: To purchase tickets or for more information sensetheatre.com
Megan Wood can be reached at meganw@goldcountrymedia.com
SENSE Theatre's "A Stage of Hope for Children with Autism joins with actors from the Magic Circle Master Series for a special production of The Wizard of Oz. SENSE Theatre is a unique intervention research program combining established behavioral science approaches alongside creative theatrical techniques to improve the social and emotional abilities of children with autism.
This special production of The Wizard of Oz will feature 14 children with autism spectrum disorders cast alongside several youth actors from the Magic Circle Theatre Master Series. Under the directorship of Blythe Corbett, Ph.D. and her SENSE Theatre team, SENSE participants will be teamed up with typically developing peer actors that will serve as "master models" of emotion, expression and social interaction. This inspiring program provides a unique opportunity for children with autism to learn, explore and express themselves in a creative, supportive and enjoyable way. For more information, please visit www.sensetheatre.com.
The SENSE Theatre production of The Wizard of Oz will perform March 5 @ 7:30pm, March 6 @ 7:30pm and March 7 @ 2:00pm at the Roseville Theater, 241 Vernon Street, Roseville, CA 95678. For tickets call our Box Office at (916) 782-1777 or visit us at www.mcircle.org
(CNN) -- Temple Grandin sees her autism as a gift, not a disability.
The professor at Colorado State University, who has become a prominent animal rights activist, spoke at the recent TED Conference in California about how people's brains work in different ways -- and how that's something that should be appreciated, not stigmatized.
Grandin, for instance, thinks in pictures, "like Google for images," she said.
She also grabs hold of details, a brain function she feels could help politicians.
"I get satisfaction out of seeing stuff that makes real change in the real world," she said. "We need a lot more of that and a lot less abstract stuff."
One of her biggest real-world accomplishments, she said, was when a mother recently told her that her autistic child had gone to college because of Grandin's inspiration.
Grandin's life also is the subject of a new HBO film, in which she's played by actress Claire Danes.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Get your tickets for our very special SENSE Theatre production of "The Wizard Of Oz." Shows run March 5th 7:30pm, March 6th 7:30pm & March 7th 2pm For tickets: http://www.mcircle.org/shows/wizard_of_oz_sense/
SENSE Theatre – A Stage of Hope for Children with Autism joins with actors from the Magic Circle Master Class for a special production of Wizard of Oz. SENSE Theatre is a unique intervention research... program combining established behavioral science approaches alongside creative theatrical techniques to improve the social and emotional abilities of children with autism.
This special production of Wizard of Oz will feature 14 children with autism spectrum disorders cast alongside several youth actors from the Magic Circle Theatre Master Series. Under the directorship of Blythe Corbett, Ph.D. and her SENSE Theatre team, SENSE participants will be teamed up with typically developing peer actors that will serve as "master models" of emotion expression and social interaction. This inspiring program provides a unique opportunity for children with autism to learn, explore and express themselves in a creative, supportive and enjoyable way. For more information, please visit www.sensetheatre.com
Just over a year ago I’d heard that a spunky, brilliant, and caring doctor at the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute was developing a program to put children with autism on stage in a musical to perform in front of a live audience.My first reaction was, ‘wow that’s brave’.As it turned out, brave as Dr. Blythe Corbett certainly is, she proved so many of us doubters wrong.She not only put children with autism on stage in a musical in front of 6 packed theatre houses, she gave our children a unique and precious experience I’m quite certain they’ll remember fondly forever.
I have twin boys who have autism.When they were first diagnosed at age 3 ½, they were non-verbal, engaged in self stimulating and self injurious behaviors, they had significant fine motor skill delays as well as social & cognitive delays.If anyone had said, your kids would be performing in a musical on stage in front of a live audience; I would have thought they were being cruel.
With much apprehension; we completed all of the paperwork for our sons to participate in SENSE Theatre’s first production, Jungle Book Kids in March 2009.We took home the Cortisol sampling kits for the research piece of the project Dr. Corbett was simultaneously conducting, and the boys both endured blood draws all before the first day of rehearsals and I kept wondering – will this be worth it?
Everyday for any parent is uncertain at best, but when faced with raising children with an autism diagnosis, uncertainty is always looming overhead.For years we’ve had a constant feeling like we are uninvited guests in a world of neuro-typicals - always the square peg trying to fit into an unchanging an unforgiving round hole.
At the start of the project we could not comprehend that anyone could have the patience and understanding to handle the constant struggle Ethan & Devan would impart.We doubted that we’d make it very far in the project and while we were cautiously optimistic, we never prepared ourselves for the outcome of success.
Day One
We entered the theatre and immediately the boys dart off into opposite directions.One beelines it to the stage; the other to the back of the house zooming up the stairs 2 by 2.It was a good thing my husband & I decided to go together.We wrangled them up to sit with their fellow cast members near the front of the stage.The sitting part didn’t last long.They were up and around, down the halls, into the green room, climbing on sets, hanging on the curtains in the wings and opening emergency door exits.Needless to say after running after two 45 pound six year olds, we were exhausted.When we got home that night we got the boys to collect their spit in these tiny vials provided by the SENSE lab and recorded the events of the day in the log for future researchers to analyze.Feeling somewhat defeated, I briefly contemplated calling Dr. Corbett that night to tell her we quit.However, this thought quickly vanished; we are not quitters and surely the next rehearsal would be better.While the boys did not appear to have had a good time, I caught them both singing one of the Jungle Book songs in bed, “look for the bare necessities, the simple bare necessities, forget about your worries and your strive!”And that was it for me – I would not feel tired, I would not complain, I would not worry – I would dutifully drive them 45 miles to rehearsals for 2 hours and happily drive another 45 miles home 2 or 3 times per week to see them perform live on stage in front of 6 packed theatre houses.
Day Four
We entered the theatre as before and unlike the times before both boys sought out their SENSE buddies with no prompting required.Progress already!The SENSE buddies were neuro-typical cast members who volunteered to help a child with autism in the cast.Ethan would ask for Eric, Chris & Turner by name and each time he saw them at rehearsals, a huge grin lined his face.Devan would ask for Camilla, Autumn, & Turner and they were all there each day with open minds, open hearts and open arms.The SENSE buddies also spent extra time learning the parts of the children with autism.The SENSE buddies performed these additional roles while being video recorded.The videos were uploaded to a website for us to stream at home so the boys could rehearse their parts throughout the week.These videos were ingenious!We’d just click play and the boys would come running into the den and start singing and acting without us having to convince them to rehearse.
Tech Week 3 Months Later
iPhones, V-tech games, M&Ms, gummy bears, Star Wars figures, token charts, squishy stress balls, books, play dough, and puzzles covered the green room.The parents & the SENSE buddies retreated to the green room with the kids after each song to break and regroup.The costumes took some getting used to, working out the kinks of the bumble-bee head dress, the bulky feeling of the stripped fabric draped over head, the wolf head that wouldn’t stay on top of Devan’s head, and the Kaa snake puppet resting on his back.Ethan had a hard time keeping the bee antennas on.Do all bees have antennas and could he be the exception?Fortunately the Under Armor shirts Ethan wears everyday worked into his costume.I was impressed how all 8 of the SENSE participants adapted to their awkward and bulky costumes.Even Ethan eventually kept his antennas on.It seemed that the show was coming together just in time for opening night.
Opening night June 12
I can’t recall if there were any mistakes that night, but the reviews suggested that it was perfection in action.I felt very much in a daze.Was it really happening?A mild panic struck me every 5 minutes; after all of their hard work, would they walk away from this experience and have fond memories?Or would they only remember the long hours spent on the road to get to and from rehearsal and the extra demands placed on them?Whatever would happen that night was already set in motion has the house lights went out and the bright stage lights glowed.Here we go, for better or worse.Looking back now I realize how ridiculously tense I was about the whole thing.I should confess that I learned a lot from the experience, perhaps even more than the boys did.
The Gala Show Third performance June 13
With 2 sold out performances under their belts, the cast would take to the stage for the 2nd time in one day.After the matinee performance we drove to my parent’s house; which wasn’t far from the theatre.We were greeted with a warm welcome and much needed sustenance.I wasn’t sure that doing 2 shows in one day was asking too much.In addition it would be the first show both my husband and I would be sitting in the audience instead of helping the boys backstage.We had front row seats, stage left.After the first song Ethan spotted me in the audience; he ran off stage into the audience and with his huge partially toothless grin he said, "Mom, I did it!"I felt as if the wind was knocked out of me.I held back tears of joy just then because I didn’t want to be blinded during the rest of the show, but I bawled my eyes out later that night.Ethan did do it, he was on stage, singing and acting and dancing and having fun!He was proud of himself, he felt good about himself and I felt good about the world again, about the future.After a quick hug, he ran back on stage and continued on with the show.We refrained from uttering the phrase “break a leg” which would have horrified Devan & Ethan both taking it for its literal meaning, but I was sure in the true spirit of the theatre, they broke both legs!
Post SENSE Theatre Jungle Book Kids
A short while after the last show we found ourselves turning in the last of the cortisol samples, completing post evaluations and going in for the post-show blood draws for the research portion of SENSE Theatre.Was that going to be it?It wasn’t clear where SENSE Theatre would go from here.Funding for SENSE Theatre wasn’t there; this was run on a hope, a prayer and the generosity of Dr. Corbett, her husband Ed Bazel, and some sponsors.Fortunately through the help of Amy Lewis & Ed Crane at KFBK 1530 News Talk morning show, they interviewed Dr. Corbett who was looking for a new theatre to call home for SENSE.Dr. Corbett received a call the same day as the interview from Brent Null at Magic Circle Theatre in Roseville and the rest is history.
2nd SENSE Theatre production, The Wizard of Oz
Devan and Ethan are in the 2nd SENSE Theatre production in conjunction with Magic Circle Theatre, The Wizard of Oz.The boys each play 2 different roles; appropriately cast as Munchkins & Flying Monkeys.When I approached the boys about doing another show after Jungle Book Kids, they both happily accepted and have been having fun each week ever since rehearsals started back in January.
Although we can all still remember the words to all of the Jungle Book songs (8 months later), the sounds of “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” and “Hi Ho the Wicked Witch is Dead” and “The Jitterbug” ring throughout the house these days.Opening night is just 2 weeks away and while I’m nervous, the boys are calm.They look forward each week to seeing some of their old SENSE buddies like Chris & Turner who volunteer their time each week despite not actually being in the cast and seeing the new SENSE buddies from Magic Circle Theatre.With the help of a number of dedicated volunteers who during the day are professionals in the world of scientific research of autism, ABA specialists, students and medical practitioners; we have seen significant growth in all 15 SENSE participants.They are all working hard along side a cast of approximately 25 neurotypical cast members and each holding their own too.
For my husband & I, this time we have seen growth we could not have predicted in Devan & Ethan.Instead of working with them on stage, physically prompting them to do the moves and making sure they don’t spontaneously sprint offstage, we get to sit in the theatre house seats and watch as they rehearse on stage.Now that is progress and tremendous success.The boys ABA tutors and even their teachers at school have all said what an amazing transition the boys have made since participating in SENSE Theatre.More than anything I’ve seen their social exchanges increase and improve; making friends in school, even public outings to restaurants, stores and such have been successful when they were nearly impossible before.
Anything worth doing is usually hard work
The success of SENSE Theatre comes from a number of parts all working together.One part is the kindness of the SENSE buddies and their unwavering regard for Devan & Ethan and all of the SENSE participants.The SENSE buddies are remarkable young women & men and have given so much back to the autism community.SENSE Theatre changed an important part of our lives and our outlook on the future.The experience and the people involved moved us all and have clearly touched our sons.I know they’ll never forget the friends they’ve made and we’ll never forget what SENSE Theatre has given our children and the community.
Another part is the amazing brain & heart behind SENSE Theatre, Dr. Corbett.We respect & appreciate Dr. Corbett’s vision for SENSE Theatre, but it is not only her vision, it is her passion about this project and her love of the kids.With every struggle, she was there with a strategy and a path to success.We really feel that we’ve come out on the other side of this epic mission and our children are changed forever because of Dr. Corbett’s gift of SENSE Theatre.We (the parents) have changed too; Dr. Corbett’s helped to unlock the dreams we’d once packed away with the boys’ diagnosis 4 years ago.She’s inspired us all to simply expect great things; something most parents take for granted, but we cherish the opportunity each day.
The tagline for SENSE Theatre is:A stage of hope for children with autism – for us, it is as if the words were lifted off the page, put into action and made a reality.As parents learning through this experience we’ve been able to allow our Hope to grow and see that with patience, kindness, respectful encouragement and understanding, children like Devan & Ethan fit just perfectly into this world.Thank your SENSE Theatre; we’ll always remember this experience with great affection and warm memories.
A grateful mom,
Kristen Byrne
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About SENSE Theatre
SENSE Theatre - in collaboration with Magic Circle in Roseville, California - are now off to see the Wizard in their new musical production of Wizard of Oz. SENSE Theatre is a unique theatrical intervention research program designed to improve the social and emotional functioning of children with autism and related neurodevelopment disorders.
As Dorothy might say, there’s no place like SENSE Theatre to provide a home to children with autism spectrum disorders. However, this is no ordinary trip down the yellow brick road – this truly is a magical experience for children with autism. SENSE Theatre has partnered with Magic Circle Theatre, to put 15 children with autism spectrum disorders on the stage with 30 youth actors from the Master Class production who serve as peer models and fellow cast members.
Founder, Blythe Corbett, Ph.D. exclaims “We are grateful for the support of Magic Circle who is providing the stage, production costs and hospitality to bring the mission of SENSE Theatre center stage, which we hope to be the first of many collaborative productions.” In her “day job” - Corbett, is an associate professor at the University of California, Davis M.I.N.D. (Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute. Along with the SENSE lab – her team aims to show how art and science can merge to create an ideal environment to learn how to communicate, socialize and express themselves.SENSE Theatre truly is a stage of hope.”
While the Tinman is in search of his heart, the participants of SENSE Theatre can easily find an abundance of it through the valiant efforts of this unique non-profit intervention program that utilizes professional volunteers and peer models to train and support the children with autism to better interact and adapt to the world through theatre. There truly is no place like SENSE Theatre to provide a home to children with autism.
The Wizard of Oz will premier March 5th and 6th at 7:30 pm and March 7th at 2:30 pm for their closing matinee performance at Magic Circle Theatre, 241 Vernon Street in Roseville.
Now is the time to order your Wizard Of Oz SENSE Theatre t-shirt. Perfect to commemorate The Wizard Of Oz production and to support the works of SENSE Theatre. Order yours today!
(February 3, 2010, Roseville, Calif) SENSE Theatre - in collaboration with Magic Circle in Roseville, California - are now off to see the Wizard in their new musical production of Wizard of Oz. SENSE Theatre is a unique theatrical intervention research program designed to improve the social and emotional functioning of children with autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders.
As Dorothy might say, there’s no place like SENSE Theatre to provide a home to children with autism spectrum disorders. However, this is no ordinary trip down the yellow brick road – this truly is a magical experience for children with autism. SENSE Theatre has partnered with Magic Circle Theatre, to put 15 children with autism spectrum disorders on the stage with 30 youth actors from the Master Class production, who serve as peer models and fellow cast members.
Founder, Blythe Corbett, Ph.D. exclaims “We are grateful for the support of Magic Circle who is providing the stage, production costs and hospitality to bring the mission of SENSE Theatre center stage, which we hope to be the first of many collaborative productions.” In her “day job” - Corbett, is an associate professor at the University of California, Davis M.I.N.D. (Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute. Along with the SENSE lab – her team aims to show how art and science can merge to create an ideal environment to learn how to communicate, socialize and express themselves.
“My sons showed me things I never knew they were capable of doing,” says parent Kristen Byrne who has two sons enrolled in the SENSE Theatre program. “One night during a performance my son Ethan spotted me in the audience and after the end of one of the songs he ran off stage into the audience and with a huge grin he said, "Mom, I did it!" The joy of seeing him feel so accomplished and proud was worth it all. SENSE Theatre truly is a stage of hope.
While the Tinman is in search of his heart, the participants of SENSE Theatre can easily find an abundance of it through the valiant efforts of this unique non-profit intervention program that utilizes professional volunteers and peer models to train and support the children with autism to adapt to the world through theatre. There truly is no place like SENSE Theatre to provide a home to children with autism.
The Wizard of Oz will premier March 5th and 6th at 7:30 pm and March 7th at 2:30 pm for their closing matinee performance at Magic Circle Theatre, 241 Vernon Street in Roseville. Tickets can be purchased online:www.mcircle.org/shows/wizard_of_oz_sense/index.html
MEDIA CONTACTS
National Contact Ed Bazel ebazel@sensetheatre.com
Sacramento Contact Kristen Byrne kristenbyrne1@gmail.com
Nice article on SENSE Theatre - A Stage Of Hope For Children With Autism in the Sacramento Parent Magazine. Check out pages 12-13 and see why we are so proud of our project and how it transforms the lives of children with autism.
Nice article on SENSE Theatre - A Stage Of Hope For Children With Autism in the Sacramento Parent Magazine. Check out pages 12-13 and see why we are so proud of our project and how it transforms the lives of children with autism.
SENSE Theatre is a unique theatrical intervention research program designed to improve the social and emotional functioning of children with autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders.
ful settings, including playground interactions. With 
