A study confirms the positive impact of theatre on people with autism spectrum disorder

A pioneering study by Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu shows, in a preliminary phase, very positive results of theatre as a therapeutic tool for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The project, driven by professionals from the Adult Mental Health Centre (CSMA) and the Community Rehabilitation Service (SRC) of Cerdanyola del Vallès in collaboration with the inclusive theatre association Escenaris Especials, confirms that participants have found in the performing arts a safe space to explore their emotions, improve social skills, and connect with others through theatrical language.

A safe space

The final results will not be announced until the end of the year, but in the qualitative evaluation phase, they are compelling: The group has experienced this environment as a "safe space." According to Blanca del Hoyo, psychiatrist at Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu and project leader, this is already sufficient evidence to consider the initiative a success. According to her, "theatre offers a space where young people can be themselves, express themselves, identify with others with ASD, and develop more positive self-esteem."

The initiative, intended for young people with ASD aged 18 to 30, is cross-disciplinary between the CSMA, the SRC, and the community network, as it involves community resources in the area, such as the Cerdanyola Ateneo, which raises awareness around mental health. Carrying out the activity in a non-mental health service setting helps reduce stigma and empowers the young participants. The project has consolidated its second theatre season and has started a new phase with users linked to the mental health services of Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu in Barcelona.

The study was developed with the approval of the Research Ethics Committee (CEI) and the support of Torrents d'Art, the Arts in Health program of Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, as well as financial support from Solidaritat Sant Joan de Déu and a research grant from the Healthcare Park.

Intuition and an inspiring interview

The initiative by the psychiatrist from the Cerdanyola CSMA, Blanca del Hoyo, stemmed from the need to create a different approach to the suffering, distress, and isolation expressed by the people she regularly treated. Intuition led Del Hoyo to seek a proposal that went beyond traditional social skills groups: "We wanted to create an activity, simply, so that people with ASD could enjoy themselves and, at the same time, work on their social difficulties in a safe, creative, and prejudice-free environment," she explains.

The final inspiration came from listening to an interview on the radio with Clàudia Cedó, founder of the Escenaris Especials association. After contacting them, the Cerdanyola CSMA launched a theatre group for adults with ASD, which, over nine months, developed a theatrical piece performed in both Girona and Cerdanyola last May. "It was a beautiful journey, where we discovered how to create theatre through active listening to the needs and individuality of each person in the group," explains Cristina Arenas, a teacher from Escenaris Especials who has supported the users throughout this process.

The team of professionals that has driven and brought this project to life is multidisciplinary: Yasmina Manzano, nurse; Soledad Cidranes, psychologist; Toni Pérez, social worker; Mariona Fernandez, neuropsychologist; Blanca del Hoyo, psychiatrist; and Cristina Montejo, occupational therapist.

Towards a new care model

In this process, creativity, teamwork, and emotional expression have allowed participants to discover unexpected talents and foster experiences of trust and interpersonal relationships. Some participants have managed to maintain weekly attendance and have even created a spontaneous social network beyond the workshop, with regular meetings and contact.

ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in communication and social interaction and a range of restricted and repetitive behaviours, interests, and activities. It is associated with significant difficulties in functioning that negatively affect most areas of a person's life and predisposes to poorer mental health, often with the presence of various comorbidities.

Improved screening system

Improved screening systems and public awareness have led, in recent years, to an increase in the number of people diagnosed with autism, with a significant impact on diagnoses in adults. While in the 1970s prevalence estimates were 0.04%, current rates range between 1% and 2%. These data are particularly relevant in the case of diagnoses in adults, as these individuals often come with a significant history of misdiagnoses or social relationships marked by a lack of diagnosis.

Since 2023, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu has been carrying out the PlaTEA project. Improving care for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) - Intervention and support for adults with ASD, aiming to define a person-centred care model. Some of the project’s results will be presented at the event that Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu will hold on 12 December 2025.