Written by Lauren Young and Edited by Ashima Seth
Contrary to popular belief, art and creativity are actually different entities. Art refers to the ability to create fine, physical works while creativity is the ability to create and solve problems. However, both do go hand-in-hand because art serves as an outlet for that creativity. A recent emerging therapeutic technique that is slowly growing is what is known as art therapy. Art therapy is a hybrid discipline of art and psychology that allows the patient to express their interpretation of the world. A huge component of art therapy is “method of projection” – the ability to place one’s inner experience to the outside world through materials [1].
Recent studies have observed the effects of art therapy on those with autism spectrum disorder, which encompasses more specific diagnoses such as Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Rett’s Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. People with autism usually experience impairments in language development and communication, lack of object constancy, and the presence of restrictive behaviors. A lack of object constancy usually indicates the inability to understand that objects continue to exist even if they cannot be seen in direct view. Art therapy is shown to improve sensory regulation, symbol formation, and socialization, especially during early child development [2]. Sensory regulation is enhanced by advancing alertness through touch, sight, and hearing. Additionally, interpretation of symbols and their deeper meanings is a valued practice. A crucial insight that art therapists gain from a child’s artwork is how the child orders the world and their emotional importance to the objects they draw. Through the child’s art, they are able to obtain information that is not available through verbal communication [3].
In one case study, a 6-year old boy with autism was observed and given art therapy for several months. At first, the child had no interest in drawing and had poor language skills that were indicative through a high-pitched tone and repetitive use of words. By the end of several months of art therapy, the child improved his object constancy and language development. The boy went from being unable to draw a circle to being able to draw stick figures of people. He also improved eye contact, tone of voice, and understood implied jokes from his therapist. One pivotal aspect of his drawing was when he was able to draw a line for the ground in his artwork, which represented a sense of feeling and being grounded [4].
The effectiveness of art therapy has further been shown to increase when performed in a paired group setting. A study collected statistically significant data of decreased internalizing behaviors, hyperactivity scores, and problem behavior scores amongst children in the autism spectrum who underwent paired group art therapy [3]. The paired group therapy allowed for increased social interactions that assisted with their development of interpersonal connections from art.
The technique of art therapy is gradually growing and its effectiveness is becoming more credible with more case-studies and research being conducted on children with autism. Future research could also be extended by applying these methods to the 1.5% of adults diagnosed with autism in the United States and seeing if the effects are similar. Art therapy is intended for people of all ages in the autism spectrum and is not just limited to children. With increased knowledge of its effectiveness, art therapy has the potential to be a blended practice that connects the body and the mind.
References:
1. Machiodi, C.A. (2003). A Brief History of Art Therapy. Handbook of Art Therapy, 1: 5-16.
2. Martin, N., Lawrence, K.S. (2009). Art Therapy and Autism: Overview and Recommendations. Art Therapy: Journal of American Art Therapy Association, 26: 187-190.
3.Epp, K.M. (2008). Outcome-Based Evaluation of a Social Skills Program Using Art Therapy and Group Therapy for Children on the Autism Spectrum. Children and Schools, 30: 27-36.
4.Melinda, J.E. (2004). Art Therapy as an Intervention for Autism. Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 21: 143-147.