If you haven’t already heard the GREAT news….Manitoba Theatre for Young People (MTYP) now offers drama courses designed to meet the specific needs of children on the autism spectrum.  The instructor uses lots of visual cues (including a photo lesson board) and breaks down tasks using best practice teaching for children with ASD.  The result is an electric fun-filled hour of imaginative team-building play! We are currently taking registrations for spring session (first class is on April 14, 2012). 

We now train and provide one-on-one assistants for each student in the class (at no additional cost to families).  Our classes are also capped at 8 students to provide optimal programming.

Demetra Hajidiacos has a Masters degree in Education.  Her thesis work focused on teaching imaginative play skills to children on the autism spectrum, a project that was piloted at MTYP.  She is a seasoned drama educator, published author, and the proud parent of a beautiful and unique child on the autism spectrum.

Your children will laugh, learn and rejoice in the power of dramatic play.  Seasoned drama educator and author Demetra Hajidiacos will take your children on a magical journey they won’t soon forget! Dress-up, puppets, crafts, songs and storytelling will nurture creativity and assist children in developing social skills.

Children currently enrolled in an intensive intervention program such as Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) and Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based therapy (DIR/Floortime) will benefit most from these classes.

Weekly lesson plans will go home with families and may be shared with consultants, tutors, therapists and other caregivers to continue the fun at home!

Space is limited.

For more information, please contact MTYP’s Theatre School at

947-0394 extention 230 or log onto www.mtyp.ca.

For detailed information about the content of this course, please email instructor Demetra Hajidiacos directly at demetra_hajidiacos@yahoo.com.

Imaginative play, turn-taking, listening and sharing will be the main focus of this class.

SIPA/Saturday 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

First class April 14

In addition to the skills covered in I Can Pretend!, this course introduces the joy of storytelling and focuses on imaginative play, cooperation, and idea-sharing.

SIPTA/Saturday 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.

First class April 14

“Our son is loving the program.  He’s been doing great at playing with other kids at school and doing more pretending and using his imagination.  Last night he wanted to play dress up for the first time ever and had a great time.”
Father of student, Age 6″While our son could sometimes do well previously with imaginative play in short doses,

Mother of student, Age 5

Mother of student, Age 7

Mother of student, Age 5