The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis of the impact of drama therapy on self-awareness of the role of the body among the intellectually disabled. In particular, it was intended to examine the effects of drama therapy involving improvisation on adolescents with moderate intellectual disability. The study is focused on assessing their levels of selfawareness of the role of the body in interpersonal relationships. The instrument used for the purpose of this study was designed by the author. It consists of a ”Body in action” test, which comprises 16 questions examining the level of self-evaluation of non-verbal behaviours in social interactions. The subjects were administered the test before and after a series of drama therapy workshops. Results indicate the connection between participation in drama therapy workshops based on improvisation and an increased level of the participants’ self-awareness of the role of the body in interpersonal relationships. At this stage of research, however, the conclusions cannot be extended to the whole age-group of the intellectually disabled. This study constitutes a starting point for further exploration of this issue. It outlines a direction, since, based on the results obtained, it can be stated that non-verbal communication plays a significant role in the development of social competences.

Nowadays, there is a growing need for reflection on the role of drama therapy workshops because of an immense interest in art therapy in general in social or psycho-pedagogical work aimed to support the development of social abilities, in particular communications skills. Therapeutic aspects of art are connected with its impact on psyche, and thus the intensification of specific cognitive, emotional and motivational processes. This paper emphasises personal growth of the participant in relation with a group. In workshop activities, especially during improvisation, the ability to undertake and strengthen positive relations is developing. Reorganization and integration of participants’ attitudes, resulting in better interpersonal relationships, are shown to occur during drama therapy workshops. New attitudes or acquired skills may become for many of them an encouragement to further explorations, an indication of a framework for increased engagement in social interactions.