Date of Award

Spring 5-16-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Expressive Therapies

Major

Clinical Mental Health Counselling

First Advisor

Jason Butler

Abstract

This integrative literature review examines the relationship between drama therapy core processes and sensory integration theory in supporting adolescents with neurodevelopmental differences. Existing literature indicates that sensory integration interventions support regulation and functional engagement, while drama therapy processes—embodiment, role, dramatic projection, and engagement with dramatic reality—facilitate relational interaction and expressive capacity. Grounded in neurodiversity, sensory integration, and drama therapy frameworks, this review situates sensory processing as a key component of regulation, social participation, and emotional development.

An integrative review methodology was used to synthesize interdisciplinary literature from occupational therapy, psychology, and drama therapy. Peer-reviewed sources were systematically identified, reviewed in full, and organized using a structured matrix to identify recurring concepts and relationships across studies. The analysis focused on points of convergence between sensory integration mechanisms and drama therapy processes. Findings suggest that sensory regulation is closely linked to relational interaction and multisensory engagement. Play-based and improvisational contexts were associated with increased adaptive responding, social participation, and emotional expression. Drama therapy processes appear to provide structured contexts in which sensory integration mechanisms are enacted within relational and symbolic domains. These findings support the potential application of integrative, interdisciplinary approaches that incorporate sensory-based and drama therapy interventions to address regulation, participation, and developmental outcomes in neurodiverse youth.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Additional Files
Kerry Signature Sheet.pdf (120 kB)
Thesis approval page
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