June Naukeras, CEI Intern
It’s Natural
The relative success of pediatric art therapy may stem from its roots in natural childhood responses to trauma: many children who have been traumatized will independently choose to self-soothe by making art that represents or recreates the traumatic event (Morrison, 2017). As Morrison explains, ‘It is often seen as a way for children to reframe and integrate the traumatic experience as a way to help them cope with the traumatic event.’ (p. ii). The distinction between recreational art-making and art therapy lies in the presence of an art therapist who provides the young artist with supplies, helps him or her discuss the subject of his/her work, and defuses the situation if the client becomes upset or overwhelmed. Researchers have found that compared to a control group, 7-to-14-year old asthmatic children who participated in art therapy reported a more positive self-concept as well as reduced anger, depression, and anxiety (Beebe, Gelfand, & Bender, 2010). Another study suggests that drawing and painting can help young cancer patients (ages 7 to 18 years) cope with the pain and stress they experience on a daily basis (Rollins, 2005).
My Experience at a Children’s Hospital
At the children’s hospital where I volunteer, many of the patients come to the art therapy sessions directly before or after prosthetic fittings and major surgeries. I can’t assume that every child will be able to walk to the rec room or hold a paintbrush in his or her hand. Some patients will, like me, need to work around partial or total loss of one or more senses. Nevertheless, the recreation, art, and music therapists who work in the inpatient wing are able to set up accessible, engaging activities by starting with a simple central concept and adapting to individual patients as necessary. Patients already know the accommodations they need and work with us to find space for them in the activity:
A child who is deaf will happily participate in a writing workshop if even one other person in the room speaks sign language.
Navigating life while disabled or chronically ill requires a certain amount of creative thinking and false bravado. Accessible art-making allows people with disabilities to turn those coping mechanisms into real confidence in our own brains and bodies.
In Schools
If you teach in a general education classroom, your students will probably be mostly neurotypical and able-bodied. In these circumstances, it’s easy to assume that most students can complete an art or writing activity; it’s hard to account for all the ways that disability can bar someone from participating. Many students with greater limitations may have sensory or motor restrictions that could impede their participation. However, these students, like others, want to write, they want to make art, and they want to play music. Many will reap extraordinary benefits from these activities if given the chance and the support. They already know that you can help them participate. So consider your options, find the resources that are needed, and further their options as well.
References
Beebe, A., Gelfand, E. W., & Bender, B. (2010, August). A randomized trial to test the effectiveness of art therapy for children with asthma. J Allergy Clinical Immunology, 126, 2, 263-6.
Morrison, A. (2017). The Benefits of Art Therapy with Children Affected by Acute Trauma (Unpublished master’s thesis). Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada: Thompson Rivers University.
Rollins, J. A. (2005, July 1). Tell me about It: Drawing as a communication tool for children With cancer. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing,22, 4, 203-221