Speak and Be Heard Theater
Theater Classes for Neurodiverse Children and Their Allies
We are a theater company dedicated to bringing the joy of the theater to neurodiverse populations. We believe that everyone has a fundamental right to communicate and experience the world in a positive and meaningful way. Our camps and classes focus on teaching social skills, team work, and problem solving through the art of theater. Children gain valuable social skills and peer interactions through participating in our small group classes. Speak and Be Heard Theater is run by a certified Speech and Language Pathologist who has more than 14 years of experience working with neurodiverse populations including children with Autism, Down Syndrome, Intellectual Disabilities, and more.
About Me
Hi! I'm Denice. I am a certified Speech and Language Pathologist who has been practicing in the Portland area for15 years. I started taking acting and then singing lessons at a young age. I loved how acting took me to new places and helped me understand the mindset of other people. My sister and I would go down into our basement on almost a daily basis to try on costumes and create new characters. Then we would hop on the exercise bike and pedal our way to a "distant land" where we would create an adventure for ourselves. I have lasting and wonderful memories about these times.
As I got older and continued to participate in theater classes and productions, I learned valuable skills around how to think like someone else and solve problems. I was given the chance to meet and befriend kids from all walks of life. I am still friends with some of those people 30 years later! Theater has a magical way of bringing people together. It helps us accept others for who they are, teaches empathy, and gives us insight into what it is to be human.
I created Speak and Be Heard Theater because I saw a lack of equity for neurodiverse children in the theater arts in Portland. I believe that all children should have the right to access classes, opportunities, and resources that enrich their lives. I also believe that children can and should learn valuable life skills while having an immense amount of fun! My fifteen years of therapy experience have taught me that children learn best when they are supported, free to be themselves, allowed to experiment, encouraged to ask questions, and allowed to make mistakes in a safe environment.
I love my job because it's unpredictable and challenging. Sometimes it's down right hard, but at the end of the day I feel honored and rewarded to be a part of my student's lives. I am also an AAC specialist who loves a good challenge when it comes to finding the best communication system for a client. I am certified in Project ImPACT and a certified Project ImPACT Trainer Consultant. I have a passion for helping people find their voice. I hope that you and your family will join me in continuing to create inclusive opportunities for all children in Portland.
As I got older and continued to participate in theater classes and productions, I learned valuable skills around how to think like someone else and solve problems. I was given the chance to meet and befriend kids from all walks of life. I am still friends with some of those people 30 years later! Theater has a magical way of bringing people together. It helps us accept others for who they are, teaches empathy, and gives us insight into what it is to be human.
I created Speak and Be Heard Theater because I saw a lack of equity for neurodiverse children in the theater arts in Portland. I believe that all children should have the right to access classes, opportunities, and resources that enrich their lives. I also believe that children can and should learn valuable life skills while having an immense amount of fun! My fifteen years of therapy experience have taught me that children learn best when they are supported, free to be themselves, allowed to experiment, encouraged to ask questions, and allowed to make mistakes in a safe environment.
I love my job because it's unpredictable and challenging. Sometimes it's down right hard, but at the end of the day I feel honored and rewarded to be a part of my student's lives. I am also an AAC specialist who loves a good challenge when it comes to finding the best communication system for a client. I am certified in Project ImPACT and a certified Project ImPACT Trainer Consultant. I have a passion for helping people find their voice. I hope that you and your family will join me in continuing to create inclusive opportunities for all children in Portland.
denice@speakandbeheard.org
