Puppet therapy experiences
North America
United States
Puppets adapted for children and adults with cerebral palsy.
This professor left university to study puppetry in France and became a therapist.
He has a farm where he organizes seminars, meetings and summer camps for children with disabilities
He uses a coach to go to the centers (hospitals, special schools...), where he does his therapy with people with disabilities. They know him as Dr. absurd
The basis of his work is the adaptation or adaptation of puppets so that they can be used by children or adults who have physical handicaps. The theatricality of the puppet does not work, as he says: "I don't expect any applause".
He has created adapted puppets and adapted methods. Most of the children she works with have no possibility of movement, and they always have the puppets in front of them.
They are only spectators. "to benefit from the puppets you have to work the brain and the spirit through the body". All the material he uses is cheap, it's recycled material.
Children without hands
"if the problem with these children is that they don't have hands, I'll give them their hands".
It uses a spiked inflatable helmet, which is tied to the child's head with straps. A pole is placed on the helmet and an elastic band. Hanging from the elastic is a puppet that is made of paper, with wire, and is very light.
“It is important that it is simple, that it turns on itself and has the possibility of many actions with little force, since it is activated with the movement of the head.” Inside there is a bell with a sound box, for children who cannot see very well. The puppet is in front of your face and the height is adjustable. There are many of these children whose head and neck muscles are not developed. "When using this puppet we have a double therapy, it strengthens the aforementioned muscles and transforms the child into an actor/actress. It's an interesting puppet, as it can be regulated according to the child's strength.”
There are children who still find this difficult due to their handicap, so he has designed a puppet consisting of a kind of bucket and a stick that is attached to the wheelchair. There are children who have difficulty imagining small things. That is why it is necessary for the puppet to be large.
"The puppet must be big so that they feel big". He uses elastic bands because by pulling them he can achieve movements with minimal effort.
Also with an umbrella and a cloth tied to a chair, he works in special education classrooms. He also works with puppets in geriatrics. He has written the book "Hug 'Em and unplug 'Em".
(18) MARIONNETTE ET THERAPIE. Vème COLLOQUE INTERNATIONAL. Number 21- 1988
