Autism Therapy: art therapy

definition of art therapy: 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".

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Empowering Leisure Skills in Adults with Autism: An Experimental Investigation through the Most to Least Prompting Procedure
International Journal of Special Education, by Vuran, S., published in 2007, summarized Feb 3, 2009

A teaching technique that uses most to least prompting may be a good way to teach leisure skills to adults with autism.

This study looked at the best way to teach adults the skill of making a basket from clay. The authors used the most to least prompting intervention to teach the skill to two adults with autism. The study focused on the teaching process, not how good the clay basket looked. The authors spoke with teachers and families and found that the adults maintained the skill over time. The authors note that it may be hard to apply this data to other skills in other settings with other teachers.


The Use of Videotape Self-Monitoring to Facilitate Interactive Intervention in Speech-Language Therapy with Preschool Children with Autism
The Clinical Supervisor, by Longtin, SE, and Fabus RL, published in 2008, summarized Jan 19, 2009

Videotaping speech sessions may help speech therapists improve their treatment with all clients, including those with autism.

One of the ways that speech therapists learn to do speech therapy is by being observed and coached by a senior speech therapist. This study was designed to see if videotaping speech therapy sessions allows the therapist to provide self feedback and improve future therapy sessions. It was hoped that by watching the videotape, therapists would have time to reflect on their actions after the session was over. It was hoped that the videotape would also allow a new therapist to monitor himself or herself without formal oversight by another therapist. This approach was used as part of the Department of Speech Communications Arts and Sciences at the Brooklyn College of the City University of New York. The study had only two therapists.


Art Therapy Applied to an Adolescent with Asperger’s Syndrome
The Arts in Psychotherapy, by ElkisAbuhoff, DL, published in 2008, summarized Oct 14, 2008

Art therapy may help people with autism to receive and learn information in a multi-sensorial way.

This case study describes an 18-year-old woman with Asperger syndrome who received seven months of art therapy. Over the seven months the young woman opened up to her art therapist and spoke more easily. The patient seemed to like the multi-sensory nature of the art work. She stopped art therapy when she left for college. The author concludes that the art therapy helped the patient to have a greater self-concept, greater self esteem and better regard for others.


Assessing Portrait Drawings Created by Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, by Martin, N., published in 2008, summarized Jun 10, 2008

Art therapy may help children with autism to converse and form a relationship with their therapist.

This article looked at portrait drawing as a form of therapy for children with autism. The drawings by the children with autism showed a wide range in drawing style and ability. Children who paid close attention to the task made better drawings. The drawings showed that people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can see others and draw their portraits.


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All Arts are at the Focus of the Creative Therapies Program

Jan 18, 2012

Creative Therapies is a program for kids with autism and other special needs that provides dance and art therapies. Creative Therapies is a joint venture between Pinckneyville Park Community Center and Spectrum in the Norcross Georgia area. Recreation Leader Kim Gerlach believes that the combination of dance and art will lead to better self-esteem and improve social skills. Dance can help with posture and can calm as well as stimulate youngsters. The art therapy will include clay, drawing and painting, and pottery.

Read original article: New Program Uses Art, Dance as Therapy


UK Radio Station Opens a Media Hub at a School for Autism

Dec 9, 2011

Capital FM helped to open a media hub at Treehouse School run by Ambitious About Autism. The hub includes a radio station, digital arts suite, and shop and arts studio. Jolanta Lasota, chief executive of Ambitious About Autism believes that the media center will help students prepare for jobs in the community. She also said, “Activities that promote creativity and self-expression are vital for children with autism as they can have real difficulty communicating with others.” Capital FM donated the money from their Help a Child appeal.

Read original article: Capital DJ Helps Muswell Hill Autism School Step into Media Age


Therapeutic Use of Magic

Sep 7, 2011

Kevin Spencer, an illusionist who uses magic as a therapeutic tool, will present a weeklong workshop at the Theatre for Youth and Outreach Department of the King Center for Performing Arts. We have written about Spencer’s Hocus Focus program, but the Central Florida workshop will include three distinct projects. Healing of Magic consists of a workshop for special educators and therapists as well as hands-on therapy for clients, such as kids with autism. Hocus Focus is for students with special needs and includes simple magic tricks to improve “creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, observational techniques and cooperative learning.” Finally, Spencer and his wife will perform Spencers Theatre of Illusion, a theatrical performance combining all their skills.

Read original article: Illusionist Keven Spencer to Present Healing of Magic Seminar


Jujitsu Champ Developed Martial Arts Class to Help Kids with Autism

Jul 26, 2011

Allan Goes, a jujitsu champion, and his wife Carolina, a psychologist, began teaching a martial arts class specifically for kids with autism. When their second son was diagnosed with autism, they worked with his ABA and occupational therapists to develop a martial arts program for him. Now the Goes Martial Arts Center holds one class a week for kids with special needs, and has found that the children also benefit from participation in classes with neurotypical kids. The benefits from martial arts are not just self-defense, but self-confidence and interpersonal skills and communication.

Read original article: Mixing Martial Arts and Autism


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Please comment on this autism topic.

martial arts

Aug 4, 2011 by Anonymous

Responding to Mneme Therapy

Mar 15, 2011 by Anonymous

Art Without Boundaries is a Professional Association with the mission to improve the quality of life for individuals with Autism, Alzheimer's disease and other related disorders of the brain by promoting MnemeTherapy.®
To accomplish that, we recruit, train and certify artists to become MnemeTherapists.


MnemeTherapy®  uses everyday pleasures such as singing, movement, painting and story telling in a unique combination to stimulate changes in the brain. Although our goal is to provide a rewarding experience,
documented testimonies show significant improvement in some clients in verbal skills, mobility, combativeness, spatial acuity and understanding instructions. MnemeTherapy® is art and movement based and should not be confused Art Therapy, which is a psychological process.


The AWB training program for Members of the Association uses a Mentor/Apprentice approach with online training, and one-on-one onsite certification for competency. This is not a business opportunity or franchise. Membership in AWBA is required to practice MnemeTherapy®


Kandinsky Inspired Art w/Classical Music Inspired Effort

Feb 5, 2011 by galeeprol

I loved everything about this convergence of Art and Music with Life created to allow inspired art to flow from people with autism and other mixed abilities!  Terrific!


Art for Autism

Jan 19, 2011 by galeeprol

Thanks Healing Thresholds for providing this great information and article.   It would appear that art activities are that special incidence where "exclusive" environment is key to honing important skills in a very creative and individualized way.  There are social components that could be explored where creative projects are melded together in some sort of presentation or public art; where individuals at the same level might be paired to "co-create" and where others, even if limited to family and friends, could have some sort of gathering to connect  and celebrate.  This has given me a lot of food for thought.   Plaudits from this corner!


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