Autism is a neurological disorder that parents need to deal with patience, love, and affection. After the diagnosis of autism, a systematic treatment approach through various therapies helps to channelize the brain and treat children suffering from autism spectrum disorder. Therapists vouch that autism treatment through therapies such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, sensory integration therapy programs have the capability to treat symptoms of autism. However, art-based therapy has gained a lot of prominences too.
How Is Art-Based Therapy Useful?
Art-based therapy is helpful for children with autism. No two children with autism exhibit similar symptoms. Some children have limited verbal skills, but good grasping power; while some are sensitive to light, touch, hear, see, and taste. They also lack in communication and social skills. Trained and experienced art therapists measure the need of each child and provide an apt therapeutic plan to help them reach their desired goal.
As children with autism cannot communicate verbally, art-based therapy helps a child to express his ideas and connect through art such as lines and sketches. They can express their happiness, sorrow, fear, and anger through various colours and symbols. Depending on their mood, they choose a colour such as a serious blue or a happy pink.
Theatre or drama therapy also allows children to explore emotions in a safe and creative way. Here they meet other children, work in coordination, share experience and interact with one another. Drama is a form of therapy for children with autism that greatly impact their social and emotional development.
Music therapy, known as one of the best autism treatment options, is a link between speech and singing; rhythm and motor behaviour; and also song and memory. Soothing music enhances the child’s mood, attention, behaviour and the ability to learn and interact. Music therapy interventions help a child with special needs to attain:
- Increased attention
- Improved behaviour
- Enhanced auditory
- Improved cognitive skill
- Decreased nervousness and anxiety
- Improved socialization
- Improved verbal skills
- Enhanced sensory-motor skills
Is Art-Based Approach The Same For Every Child?
Each child with autism undergoing art therapy needs a different approach according to their deficiencies and needs. For children having verbal skills, the approach would be slightly different, where they can enrol in music and drama therapy. For those with limited vocal skills, the therapist imitates the sound (of animals) and encourage children to do the same. This helps the children to create sound and vocabulary. This calms hyper activeness and enhances concentration.
How Does Art-Based Therapy Help In Learning?
Art, such as drawing, painting, music, and drama, give children the freedom to explore themselves without verbal expression. No formal training is required for the children to create or portray their inner self on a canvass, through vocal shrieks or just by preparing for the show.
Thus, art-based therapy is limited to not just colours and sketches, but also music and drama depending on the skills and capabilities of the children. It is indeed a miracle to see children with communication and social disability work in groups in a joyful atmosphere.
