Neurodiversity takes centre stage

Theatre is a valuable tool for encouraging empathy. A new production aims to provide neurotypical audiences with insights into living with autism.

14 Nov 2017 12:00

Richard Watts

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Writing and Publishing

Nicola Bowman in Citizen Theatre & A_tistic’s Alexithymia. Photo credit: Pippa Samaya.

Alexithymia (pronounced ‘al-ex-ee-thigh-me-ah’) is experienced by approximately 85% of people on the autism spectrum, and up to 10% of the world’s total population.

‘It is the inability to put words to felt emotions,’ said playwright Tom Middleditch, the Artistic Director of independent theatre company A_tistic and the author of the play, Alexithymia.

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Richard Watts OAM is ArtsHub's National Performing Arts Editor; he also presents the weekly program SmartArts on Three Triple R FM. Richard is a life member of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, a Melbourne Fringe Festival Living Legend, and was awarded the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards' Facilitator's Prize in 2020. In 2021 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Green Room Awards Association. Most recently, Richard received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in June 2024. Follow him on Twitter: @richardthewatts