OVIEDO, Fla. – Under studio lights and surrounded by set dressing, Briana Falgiano’s classroom is as unique and her coursework.
Falgiano, a speech-language pathologist, has created a distinctive approach to therapy through her program, The Dramatic SLP.
By integrating music and drama into traditional speech therapy, Falgiano aims to enhance language interactions and outcomes for her students.
On a recent afternoon, she gathered her students in a circle on “stage” for class introductions. Everyone sang along as each kid introduced themselves and added a fun fact about their personality.
“We practice how to introduce ourselves and we use music to use both hemispheres of our brain so we can remember,” she explained to the group.
Falgiano primarily works with autistic individuals, but her classes also include children with Down syndrome and other developmental delays. She believes that combining performing arts with speech therapy can lead to significant improvements in communication skills.
“I target language and speech goals like you would see in regular speech therapy, but I combine a music and drama aspect,” Falgiano explained. “My background is in performing arts, and I wanted to merge both passions to produce better language results for our kids.”
With five years of experience performing at Walt Disney World and a background in producing shows across the country, Falgiano brings a wealth of knowledge to her practice. She is also a professional circus performer, specializing in aerial and fire arts.
Falgiano’s approach is rooted in the idea that using both hemispheres of the brain—language in the left and music in the right—can lead to more holistic treatment. “When you use both hemispheres, we’re treating the whole person rather than just the language,” she said.
The Dramatic SLP program, launched in 2023, offers classes throughout Central Florida. Falgiano collaborates with local organizations, including Showtime USA and We Rock the Spectrum gym, to provide inclusive opportunities for her students.
Parents like Seth Anderson often seek programs that will help their children develop communication skills. While most parents are able to drop their kids off for class, Anderson usually stays because his daughter, Sophia, who is autistic and partially deaf, needs more attention.
“This helps her with rhythm, fine motor skills all of that,” Anderson said. “Initially it was like, let me hold your hand, we’ll do it together. Now I’ll step back and let her do it. (She has to consider) what am I doing wrong, what am I doing right? She gets it and figures it out.”
Falgiano’s method stands out because it addresses not only language but also social interactions, volume control, and improvisational skills. “These skills carry over into everyday communication and build confidence, which is crucial for the autistic community,” she said.
Falgiano emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for her students. “I hope they feel a great deal of self-confidence, that they feel accepted as themselves, and that they build a sense of connection that they often don’t get elsewhere,” she said.
In her classes, Falgiano uses total communication approaches, welcoming AAC devices and incorporating sign language and multiple languages. She aims to ensure that all children, regardless of their abilities, can participate and thrive.
“Disabilities don’t hold them back in this classroom,” Falgiano said. “We remove those bounds and open doors for them, giving them the experiences they deserve.”
“I get to see the kids slowly improve over time, with each class” Anderson said. “Some of them make friends, they get to know each other.”
As she continues to expand her program, Falgiano hopes to train other therapists in her techniques, spreading awareness and improving access to speech therapy for children across the country.
“I realized that performing arts was the key to making this field better for our kids and for our therapists,” she said. “If I could help guide them in language and communication, it was a total dream come true.”