Art therapy in autism is a medium that naturally helps children to explore and express their true feelings.
Drawing, painting, and creating in general help children better their concentration and engage in social interactions in an efficient manner.
But the word and they see it with different eyes.
They require more guidance and help in understanding and developing their skills.
Creative art therapies as a whole are different for special kids.
A child with autism will process the world with an innocent mind.
Art therapies have been working wonders for ages in improving the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of different age groups, specifically children.
Art instills a person to awaken their creative side. This approach to art therapy in autism proved to be very useful for kids with autism. What art in autism did was, it pulled out the strengths in these kids.
Art is tried and tested in being a highly beneficial mediation tool for children with autism.
If you are parenting a child with autism or even have someone in your family with autism, then here’s how art therapy can help your child.
Why Use Art Therapy to Treat Autism?
According to a report by CDC, approximately 1 in 54 children in the United States get diagnosed with autism.
An early diagnosis of the disease will enable a positive outcome of the treatment.
Art therapy for autism is one such successful treatment mode that will propagate healthy self-expression in their minds and help them build concrete life skills.
One of the major difficulties children with autism face is weak verbal and social communication. In extreme cases some children with autism are even nonverbal, they face a hard time trying to communicate or merely even convey their thoughts.
However, most of them with autism are blessed with an extraordinary ability to think visually by picturizing their thoughts.
With the help of artistic media, like visual information, recording images, or drawings most of them can use this ability for processing their memories.
Autism art therapy is one such form of expression that requires little or no verbal interactions at all. This will be a perfect way for them to emphasize initiating communication one step at a time.
The best way to start is by introducing them to art and communicating through it.
Bring home art supplies, to begin with, and gradually expose them to different approaches. Nothing could ignite emotions in you like memories, so you can even gift them a painting.
This painting for autism will get them inquisitive and drive in all the emotions needed to get started with art therapy.
Art Therapy v/s Art Classes
Art therapy helps build your child’s confidence and also aids them to access their emotions better.
On the other hand art classes is where someone learns how to achieve artistic excellence using different painting styles and techniques.
Art classes may be a good alternative for children with autism but they cannot significantly substitute the effect of art therapy.
Some techniques proved to be the most effective practices conducted in art therapies as opposed to art classes. Some of the best practices included:
- Using the same routine when beginning each session
- Laying out instructions in a simplified manner
- Ignite curiosity to teach new skills
- Maintain a gradual trajectory of growth
How Does Art Therapy Help Autism?
Many research studies on art therapy and its impact on people with autism have proven that art therapy can work wonders.
It’s a tough world out there and imagine how overwhelming and confusing it will be for someone who is already facing difficulty understanding things.
Art is one such tool that will provide an opportunity for them to think and inculcate a mind for better problem-solving.
These therapies worked wonders because they pushed them to interact with their peers and teachers and bloom naturally through the process.
- Enhanced ability to imagine and think effectively
- Enhanced ability to recognize and respond to different facial expressions
- Enhanced ability to dominate sensory issues
- Enhanced fine motor skills
Concluding Thoughts
Art therapy is a proved and tested method that offers children with autism an excellent way to better their behavior skills.
Studies have shown that autistic children engaging in art therapy sessions often exhibit fewer behavioral problems.
Throughout the process, you can observe the change happening in them. You’ll find them much more at ease, gradually gaining control over their emotions.
A healthy and positive environment is what helps them maintain their focus on improving their sensory skills.
Art therapy not only aids them in using their imagination productively but also encourages abstract thinking in them.
Thus inculcating art therapy in their daily routine can provide a great chance to promote their cognitive development while helping to build and gradually strengthen their visual-spatial skills.