INCLUSIVE FAMILY
The Arts for
EVERY CHILD
B right lights and colorful costumes can
be an engaging way to let children’s
imaginations run wild as they watch
theatrical performances. But these elements
can also overwhelm children with sensory-
processing disorders. Attractions throughout
the DMV have created ways to ensure every
child can enjoy the creative freedom and
expression that come from the arts.

Sensory-friendly performing arts
Imagination Stage in Bethesda offers sensory-
friendly theater classes and performances
for children in preschool through 12th
grade. The inclusion team emphasizes that
success looks different for every student.

Whether it’s delivering a line or watching
their peers, the team ensures that children
enjoy themselves in an environment that’s
comfortable for them.

“Children who are working on social skills or
interacting with their peers have a space where
the environment is fun,” says Scott Turner,
access and inclusion manager for Imagination
Stage. “It’s not like school where things are
very intense or there’s a specific goal.”
Turner’s team also sends children and their
34 WashingtonFAMILY MARCH 2022
parents a pre-visit “social story” packet that
reads like a storybook. The material provides
step-by-step illustrations that detail the
process of going to the venue, purchasing the
ticket and watching the performance, plus all
the important details in between. The packet
also includes the plot points of the performance
so that children can follow along easier.

Turner adds that having neurodiverse
students participate helps them to teach other
kids important social skills.

“Empathy is perhaps the biggest thing,” he
says. “For some of our students, this might be
their first time getting a chance to interact or
learn alongside others with a disability. They
kind of see a different perspective. This is true
for students with disabilities as well,” he says.

At Strathmore, another performing arts
venue in Bethesda, families of children with
sensory-processing disorders also receive a
pre-visit packet to help them explore sensory-
friendly events with their children.

All of its family shows operate in a “no-shush”
environment where attendees are encouraged
to laugh out loud, move throughout the venue
and perform other nontypical actions.

“We’re not expecting a typical ‘sit down and
be quiet’ concert behavior from these family
shows,” says Lauren Campbell, vice president
of education and community engagement.

Strathmore holds an hour-long training to
ensure its performers and staff are properly
equipped for sensory-friendly specific
performances. The hosts and artists also make
sure that their performances don’t include any
overwhelming noises or lights.

“Many public spaces are extremely
unwelcoming for children and adults,”
Campbell says. “It’s critically important that
we take this overwhelming encouragement
and turn it into opening up as many of these
spaces that we possibly can.”
Arts experiences for all ages
and abilities
The nonprofit VisArts in Rockville offers
visual arts classes, camps and other programs
for all age groups and experience levels.

Students can learn from various media styles
such as ceramics, photography and glass art.

“One of our main goals is to make sure that
every class here is accessible to everyone,” says
Emily Fucello, assistant educational director
for VisArts.

VisArts has a “no right or wrong way to
create or learn” philosophy. Staff members are
trained to work with differences in abilities
and learning styles, and they’re equipped with
materials to complete various projects with
their students.

“Every child learns a different way and will
create art a different way. Our instructors have
been working with children for a long time and
understand that each one has a different set of
needs,” Fucello says.

Small class sizes allow VisArts instructors
to give one-on-one personalized assistance.

“On all of our class offerings, we give people a
way to request accommodations for students
as needed,” Fucello says. “That kind of open
communication that we have with the parents
is really important and helps us give the
children the best experience possible.” n
PHOTOS COURTESY IMAGINATION STAGE / JEREMY RUSNOCK, LLC
BY LEENIKA BELFIELD-MARTIN