'Inspiring, Inclusive and Talented'

The Twisting Ducks' Story

By Tabitha Peverley

photo courtesy of Theatre Nemo

As a young mother, Nykia Cossey is always looking for an after-school activity for her five-year-old son, Cayden. Except it isn't that simple.

Cayden has autism spectrum disorder, which means he sees the world a bit differently. This makes finding a group that can give him the care and support he needs is difficult as children with severe forms of autism often have melt-downs and can at times be violent.

Twisting Ducks in Newcastle are a charity who offer a range of theatre and music workshops and academies specifically to help people with learning difficulties and autism unleash their inner performer.

photo courtesy of The Twisting Ducks

Twisting Ducks have been around for the past 12 years, giving those who see the world differently and interact with it in different ways, a safe space to unleash their creative potential and have fun at the same time.

They have numerous academies on offer, from theatre to DJing. They even have their own band! All this allows young people with learning difficulties or autism to feel as if they are contributing to society, that they are participating in activities normal people do. They don't feel so different.

"Children with autism could benefit from support to understand the way that autism makes them different," says Emma, a 17-year-old with Asperger's Syndrome, a mild form of autism. Emma had play therapy to help with her autism when she was younger but not with other autistic children, but she now gets help at college due to her understanding of the work being different from that of her classmates - she has an Education Health Care Plan in place. It entitles her to extra time in exams as well as an adult to help her take notes in class if she needs it. This is all the help and support she receives for her autism. While she is able to cope with this level of help, people like Nykia, whose son has a more severe form of autism, this is not enough. "When I was looking for an after-school activity for him I did specifically look to see if there was any that specifically catered to autism, simply because it poses its own difficulties which someone with no experience may not be able to handle or fully recognise," she said.

Perhaps people like Emma and Nykia would do well at a place like the Twisting Ducks Company.

Someone else who might have liked to have been a part of a group like Twisting Ducks, is 23-year-old Callum Gray of Sunderland. He, like Emma, has a mild form of autism and has received little support from autism focussed groups. "I would like to think being in a group with others like myself could have helped me further but currently it's not something I have time for," he said.

However, it isn't just those with learning disabilities and autism that find being creative helps them. Molly Polden, 24, from London has a rare vascular condition known as Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome, which has caused her severe arthritis in her left knee and hip, leaving her with the use of a wheelchair to get around. Molly is a member of the Redbridge Drama Centre where the majority of members are able-bodied. When she first started she was able to join in without walking aids, she didn't see herself as a disabled performer. However, now things are different. "As I've got older my condition as deteriorated and I've had to rely more on my wheelchair more, which has changed the way I have approached performing. It's also impacted my confidence in my performing ability. I find I have a lower confidence in my performing ability now that that I am more reliant on my wheelchair," she said.

Despite this, Molly finds being in a mainstream theatre group a positive. "I don't think it's fair to segregate people on their physical or mental capabilities." she says. "I have seen so many talented performers and many of those had some form of disability, whether that was using a wheelchair, being hard of hearing, or something like Downs Syndrome or autism. I think it creates more awareness when you have disabled performers as part of a mainstream group."

Molly Polden (centre) with the cast of Out of my Comfort Zone. photo from Redbridge Drama Centre

Molly Polden (left) in Out of my Comfort Zone. photo from Redbridge Drama Centre

backstage of Out of my Comfort Zone. photo from Redbridge Drama Centre

Out of my Comfort Zone. photo from Redbridge Drama Centre

Twisting Ducks' own house band, The Twist with their punk tune, Give Us a Job! credit, The Twisting Ducks

Twisting Ducks, although specifically for people with learning disabilities and autism, are no different to mainstream groups.

They are still performing to the public, coming up with original content, and having fun. The fact that their performers see things differently to others doesn't matter. They're still gaining the same skills as anyone else. Someone who is particularly proud of that fact is CEO of the Twisting Ducks, Jay Hare. "We're able to push them with their confidence and their ability to work with other people as part of a team, so it's team working skills, it's confidence, it's advocating having a voice."

For more information on the Twisting Ducks, go to their website: http://www.thetwistingducks.co.uk/