Benefit of Arts and Crafts for Sensory Processing Disorder
New treatments, such as art therapy, are emerging to meet the pervasive challenges autism presents. Many parents look to art to help their child with sensory processing disorder (SPD) issues..
by Kate Lacour, ATR-BC
In recent years, autism has been featured ofttimes in the news, and it seems that everyone knows someone whose life has been touched by the status. What is autism and how is it treated? Autism is a neurological condition present at nascency, whose precise cause is as yet unknown. The symptoms of autism include repetitive or compulsive behaviors, social impairment, problems with communication and trouble processing sensory information (such as hypersensitivity to sounds). The nearly popular treatment is beliefs modification therapy, which aims at shaping behaviors through a organization of rewards and consequences. In contempo years, caregivers seeking alternative or gratis treatments take a broader range of options available. I such treatment is art therapy.
Broadly speaking, art therapy promotes mental and emotional growth through art making. Unlike art instruction, art therapy is conducted with the aim of building life skills, addressing deficits and problem behaviors, and promoting good for you self-expression. Clients are encouraged to explore and express themselves using art materials; crafting attractive artwork is not the goal (though it may exist a happy by-product).
Art presents an Alternative to Exact Communication
Art therapy is a natural fit for autism for several reasons. Ane of the hallmarks of autism is impaired communication. Verbal self-expression and language is oftentimes peculiarly difficult. One person with autism writes "I just couldn't get my words out. It was like a big stutter… Screaming was the but manner I could communicate." Art offers a way for people who have trouble "speaking their mind" with words to express themselves direct, without words. People with autism are oftentimes highly visual thinkers, and many report that they "call back in pictures". Expressing feelings and ideas through images is very natural for such people and tin be a welcome relief from the daily struggle to utilize words effectively.
Fine art therapy can assist with social skills
Autistic people as well tend to struggle with social issues, such as interpreting tone of voice and facial expression, and may feel uncomfortable relating to others. One-on-i interactions, such equally conversations, are frequently extremely intimidating and stressful. For such people, working alongside a therapist can be much more than comfortable. Every bit the 2 share focus on the client'southward art-making, a powerful bond can be forged without the initial need for straight, contiguous interaction.
Fine art tin too be a wonderful facilitator in forming connections with peers. Cooperation, plough-taking, respecting differences and other social skills tin can all be adept in an enjoyable, natural setting. People with autism may also struggle to comprehend other people's perspectives; looking at a peer's art piece of work offers a concrete way to "meet" some other person's betoken of view. Working together on grouping projects fosters cooperation, teamwork and a sense of acceptance.
Art therapy tin address Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
Art therapy is ideally suited for addressing sensory processing disorder (SPD), a pervasive problem in autism which contributes to a great deal of difficult emotions and behaviors, still is too frequently disregarded. Seemingly innocuous sensations, such every bit the texture of rug, fluorescent lighting, crunchy foods, the hum of a refrigerator, may exist irritating, or even excruciating, to people with autism ("like nails on a chalkboard," equally a client once put it). When thus overstimulated, people with autism may become agitated, avoidant or only "close down" and become impassive in order to escape the unpleasant stimulus.
1 of the almost mutual goals in art therapy is to increase tolerance for unpleasant stimuli, while channeling self-stimulating behavior into more artistic activity. Because fine art is naturally enjoyable for nigh all children, autistic or non, they are more than probable to tolerate textures and smells they might otherwise avoid when they are role of a fun art process. A child might find that he or she tin can really cope with handling slimy, paste-covered strips of paper, for instance, when information technology's function of a fun newspaper mache craft project. Repeatedly confronting the stimuli they prefer to avoid helps to desensitize kids to them, making information technology more than bearable when they see these sensations in daily life. A child who learned to deal with paper mache, for instance, might then find that handling slimy hand soap was no longer so unpleasant.
Sensory fixations are some other common feature of autism. Some people may stare in rapt attention at their fingers as they moving-picture show them back and forth or endlessly twisting tiny strips of newspaper. Repetitively engaging in such self-stimulating behaviors (or "stimming") can brand people with autism stand out, prevent them from interacting with others, and can distract them from other activities, such as school work or play. On the other hand, these sensations may provide some calming, soothing feelings when the person is agitated. In art therapy, the goal is to aqueduct not-functional or inappropriate stimming into socially acceptable, creative outlets.
Compulsive shredding of paper turned into beautiful collages
Ane autistic kid was disciplined at school for his compulsive habit of shredding newspaper. When taught to use his love of shredding to brand collage, the child embraced this new outlet. Today, Grant Manier wins awards for his hitting, realistic collages, made with thousands of torn strips of paper and other shredded media. Another successful artist, obsessed with twisting bits of paper, at present makes art using twist ties. This type of fine art making can assist turn a beliefs that once caused social problems into a form of self expression and enjoyment.
In addition to its efficacy in improving sensory, social and emotional performance, fine art therapy is an excellent treatment for autism because it is inherently reinforcing. Kids get enjoyment, stress relief and a boost to their cocky confidence from tackling art projects or only exploring art materials. That they are practicing life skills while doing so may not enter their minds.
Fine art therapy is a unique course of handling for autism, equally it helps mitigate symptom, while as well channeling autistic behaviors into an expressive, artistic outlet. It promotes communication, emotional growth and sensory integration while also fostering social interaction in a fun setting.
For more information visit The Art of Autism enquiry hub, world wide web.arttherapy.org or www.atcb.org.
Other Art of Autism blogs you lot may similar:
How Low Budget Art Projects Can enhance the lives of Autistic Children and others with learning disabilities
Why Children on the Autism Spectrum Benefit from Art Therapy as a Required Service
Dr Stephen Shore: The Importance of Music and Art for Autistic People
How to teach your Autistic Child to Write
Source: https://the-art-of-autism.com/the-value-of-art-therapy-for-those-on-the-autism-spectrum/
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