A team of researchers at Bloorview Kids Rehab, the largest children’s rehabilitation hospital in the country, have discovered that children with severe disabilities, including some who can’t communicate physically or verbally, reacted physiologically when watching a performance by a clown.

They found that non-communicative and other disabled children had changes in heart and breathing rates, skin temperature and sweat levels during 10-minute visits with therapeutic clowns. The children didn’t have the same reaction when watching a children’s television program, which demonstrates an ability to perceive their environment and make different responses depending on the situation they’re in, according to the researchers.

It’s a discovery that could eventually help open communication channels with people who have trouble communicating physically or verbally. And it also provides some validation for families who have always been convinced their loved one is present mentally, but unable to show it.

Read the rest at Impact of therapeutic clowns on disabled children gives researchers hope - The Globe and Mail (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/impact-of-therapeutic-clowns-on-disabled-children-gives-researchers-hope/article1482435/)

Does that make me a head-shrink?
Ooh! I gotta round up some patients.

That's just what people need! Granny as their therapist, lol!

Seriously, though, I'm glad to see people are starting to realize clowns are important a very part of society. Medically, anyway.

Thank you Princess laughter is the best medicine. I'm glad it's catching on.

That's how I've lived to the ripe old age of...twenty? Thirty? I can't remember. Does laughter cure memory loss? I can't remember.


What was I babbling about?

Absolutely Princess, My favourite times clowning are always in special needs facilities. I can feel the response and wonder sometimes who gets more from it. The children or me.
Calling all clowns, Go and do some clowning around with these children. It is truly an amazing experience.