Methods
A systematic search was conducted using the PsychINFO, ERIC, and OneSearch (EBSCO) databases. The following terms were combined in the search: (autism OR autistic) AND “art therapy”. Art therapy was placed inside of quotation marks in order to limit results to those specifically about art therapy as opposed to artistic talent or art education. Searches were narrowed down to only include peer-reviewed articles from scholarly journals. Selecting database-specific options allowed for the further narrowing of results, such as limiting results to empirical and clinical case studies or refining the subject to autism and art therapy. Upon selection of studies, a bibliographic search was conducted in order to identify additional literature that met the criteria for selection. The following parameters wer`2e used for selection:
1. Empirical study analyzing art therapy as a treatment for autism published in a peer-reviewed journal
2. Participant(s) were identified as having ASD and were between the ages of 4 and 21
3. Art therapy was the primary intervention used in the study
4. The study was written in English
Dates of publication were not used as selection criteria given the limited research available and the early inception of art therapy as an intervention (Dunn-Snow & D’Amelio, 2000). Only three of the nine studies selected for this literature review occurred within the past ten years (see Figure 1).
After the articles for this literature review were selected, key features of each study were incorporated into a table indicating the author(s) of the study, the research design implemented, the targeted skills or behaviors, the intervention and art medium used, the participant(s), the setting, the method, and the results (se...
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Before completing the assignment of reading “Thinking in Pictures,” by Temple Grandin, I did not have much knowledge about autism. My only understanding was autism was some sort of neurological disorder that is seen similar to mentally handicapped individuals to someone with little understanding, like myself. I am very thankful to have been given an assignment like this one that gives me more knowledge of something I should already have in my line of work (though I am sure that was the whole purpose of the assignment, to educate the ignorant). I now have a better understanding of the cause, learning process and functioning of different levels of this defect.
When a child is diagnosed with autism, one thing that is noted is the lack of eye contact. Music therapy works to help this in numerous ways. When the therapist starts at the child’s level, according to the British Colombian Music therapy association, they can base what needs to be done and how to do it off of where the child is and after many sessions, where they are now (M-7). According to a report in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, “Eye contact – this refers to an event where child looks at therapist while playing, manipulating” (E-7).
I then came across the practice of art therapy. As a child, I've had a love for drawing and art, and I never really grew out of it. I saw art therapy as a wonderful opportunity for me since I found this both an enjoyable and useful study. I became interested in art therapy because it serves as a creative outlet for me to help people by applying what I love for them. I believe art therapy can help troubling patients because it connects with troubling patients at
People from all around the world suffer from many different anxieties and troubles. They turn to things they enjoy so that they can forget reality and be somewhat happy or simply to communicate with one another. Most of the enjoyment is temporary and not sufficient, that is why they continue doing what they do. Creative Arts Therapy, also known as Expressive Arts Therapy, helps those who find themselves completely lost and have nowhere to go or anyone to go to. They can express themselves however they please. In order to better understand arts therapy one must have a knowledge of creativity, emotions and, of course, people.
Geretsegger, M., Holck, U., & Gold, C. (2012). Randomised controlled trial of improvisational music therapy’s effectiveness for children with autism spectrum disorders. BMC Pediatrics, 12(2), 1-9.
My vision of Art Therapy was very vague. I always thought art therapy was a form of therapy for distressed or abused children trying to tell a story through pictures or drawings. The American Art Therapy Association defines art therapy as a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well being of individuals of all ages. Art therapy is a form psychotherapy that has been practiced for over sixty years and it has been promoted as a means of helping people who find it difficult to express themselves verbally (Crawford, et al., 2010). Art therapy sessions usually start with a form of relaxation such as deep breathing , progressive muscle relaxation, or setting an intention for the session ahead (Hart, 2010). Art therapy is used for several different types of people with diverse illnesses such as: Autism Spectrum Disorder, people living with HIV/AIDS, mental disorders and even Cancer. Studies show that art therapy can lead to increased self awareness of self, as well as improved ability to cope with symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences (American Art Therapy Association). This form of therapy helps these patients express positive feelings that may not be easy to access in the midst of a fear provoking experience (Hart, 2010). Art therapy help people to identify their feelings, and resolve the issues associated with their illness. Although, my lack of knowledge on this therapeu...
Brooke, S.L. (2004). Tools of the trade: A therapist's guide to art therapy assessments (2nd ed., Rev.). Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas.
You can express your thoughts and emotions through making art that you could not through words alone. That is why art therapy is an effective form of helping patience of all kinds. Art therapy can help just about anyone with a mental or emotional illness if they are willing to cooperate. People say that a picture is worth a thousand words and when it comes to art therapy, they really mean it. Art therapists use color, patterns, and shapes fabricated by the patient to determine their thoughts and feeling. Because color is a big part of representing how we feel we can use the drawings, paintings, or other forms of art to help us further understand someone. Art therapy is especially helpful when the patient cannot speak or properly communicate with others. That is because art is like talking
processes of art expression in therapy, Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 21:3, 125-135
“To use art, counselors need to learn how to integrate art therapeutically into counseling. In using art, they need to emphasize process over product and clarify the potential benefits to the student. It has been suggested that art therapy fits nicely into the American School Counselor Association’s national standards.” (Howard, 2017).
Art therapy is well known in the therapeutic field but not very well known amongst adolescents and adults, my job is to inform people who are unaware. In many cases art therapy can be used with other psychotherapy techniques such as group therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, it is a very diverse field when it comes to its range of limits. Not everyone can creatively suspect the act of art would help their mental state of mind but art therapists were put here to prove those people wrong. Through the findings of my research I have found interesting and important reasons why one might become an active art therapist, and discovered the therapeutic process of how to diagnose and treat their patients. My curiosities also lead me to wonder when art therapy originated, which I found dated back all the way to the 1940’s by a woman named Margaret Nawmburg. By researching art therapy it taught me the real importance of an art therapist job and how their service helps ones in need.
One of every 68 children are diagnosed with autism in United Sates (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Autism is a mental condition characterized by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people. Autism can be also associated with mental disability, struggle in motor coordination and attention. Autism appears in early childhood between 2 and 3 years of age. There is no cure for autism but early intervention can improve outcomes. Music has positive effects in children with autism. Even though there is no known ‘cure’ for autism, music may enhance socio-emotional development, improve communication skills, promotes cognitive development and contribute to emotional gratification.
Art Therapy helps children that have mental health problems learning disabilities, emotional problems, and sexual abuse. Patient’s are encouraged to visualize and then create the thoughts and emotions that they can’t talk about. The resulting artwork is then reviewed by the therapist and that helps the therapist determine what they need to work on. Art Therapy is typically practiced in conjunction with individuals, in a group, or with family. Art Therapy can be particularly useful for treating children who have limited language skills. By drawing or using other visual means to express troublesome feelings (Source 4 Helping Kids Art
Autism spectrum disorder is a disorder in which many children struggle with. Children, who have ASD, struggle with communication and social interaction. With this disorder, there are many things that can be put into place for a child who has ASD to be able to function “normally” on a daily basis. Music therapy is one strategy that has been proven to be very successful with a child, who has ASD, to be able to function “normally;” especially when it comes to their social and communication skills.
Before I graduated from college, an art therapist saved my life. She helped me work through my diagnosis by utilizing various art forms. Upon termination, art therapy had given me true healing and empowered me to use art for self-expression. Today, I am thriving with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, applying to graduate school to follow my passion, and wearing my adversity as a badge of triumph. The power of art therapy provided me with an inside look at the difference an art therapist can make. Now I am determined to help others find their own healing through art.