The research initially explored the identities and experiences of autistic girls through music-making, drama, interactive media and participatory arts. In the project on music and sound art, participants were encouraged to record sounds from around their school, including their chickens!
Outputs have included publications, and a suite of creative workshops tailored to autistic learning and experience. The current funding, which targets impact and knowledge exchange, will enable these resources to be co-developed with neurodivergent practitioners and young artists, then disseminated as a high-quality online ‘toolkit’ which uses composition, sound-art, drama and mask-making to foster creative agency, self-expression and self-awareness.
The interactive materials are targeted at teachers and the growing number of home-educated young people, many of whom also identify as neurodivergent. These resources will be available internationally via the Prospero online platform in 2025.
Read more about the research here: https://playingapartautisticgirls.org/
Jackie Walduck is a lecturer in Open Academy, The Academy's Community and Participation department.