Fostering Self-Determination Through Improv for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

The current study aimed to explore how improvisation (improv)exercises impact self-determination of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It is well documented that self-determination is a predictor of many positive outcomes contributing to a quality of life. A few limited studies have examined the impact of role playing and theatre exercises on social skills for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and even fewer studies have examined the impact of such activities (including improvisation) on individuals with other IDDs. This study conducted and developed and tested a tested an improv intervention with a single group of ten individuals with IDD to explore the effect of 8 weeks of improv exercises on the participants’ self-determination and training experience. The multimethod design includes the ARCs self-determination scale gathered pre and post intervention and qualitative interviews at the end of the study. Implications of this study are important for researchers, practitioners, and caregivers who could use improv to foster self-determination of individuals with IDD in order to help individuals achieve a higher quality of life.