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Undergraduate Honors College Theses 2016- LIU Post

2018

Art Therapy Interventions that Facilitate Non-

Verbal Expressions and how Art Therapy Can
Improve Communication for Children with
Autism
Rachel Piliere
Long Island University, [email protected]

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Running Head: ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM

Art Therapy Interventions that Facilitate Non-Verbal Expressions and how Art
Therapy Can Improve Communication for Children with Autism
An Honors Program Thesis
by
Rachel Piliere
Spring, 2018
Art Therapy

__________Cristina Lomangino_______
Faculty Advisor

____________Christine Kerr_________
Faculty Reader
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM

Abstract
Autism prevalence in America has increased rapidly over the years and numerous

research studies have been conducted to measure the benefits of art therapy practice

within this community. Advances in the mental health field have been also made to help

offer improved treatment. Art therapy uses the process of engaging in artmaking with

various mediums to make products that can be used in both assessment and treatment.

The art can serve as a reflection of a person’s development, abilities and personalities. In

this paper, the literature review will cover: Autism, communication, available treatments,

and art therapy. The research methodology employed is qualitative research in the form

of a single case study. The case study illustrates art therapy interventions used with a

child, to help increase social skills and attention span in classroom activities. This paper

discusses how art therapy interventions help facilitate non-verbal expression in children

with autism and how art therapy improves communication among this population.

Keywords: Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, DSM-IV,

Expressive Therapies, Art Therapy
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM

Table of Contents
Title Page
Abstract
Table of Contents
List of Figures

I. Autism………………………………………………………………………………….1
DSM Diagnosis……………………………….……………………………..……1
Autistic Disorder…………………………………………………………………..5
Asperger Syndrome…………………………………………………………….....5
Pervasive Developmental Disorder………………….………………………...…..7
Everyday Life…………………………………………..……………………….....8
II. Communication………………………………………………..……………………..10
Inappropriate/unhealthy expressions……………………….……………………10
Verbal/Non-verbal……………………………………………………………….10
Anxiety…………………………………………………………………………...11
III. Treatments…………………………………………………………………………...13
Cognitive Therapy……………………………………………………………….13
Applied Behavior Analysis………………………………………………13
Pivotal Response Training……………………………………………….14
Expressive Therapies…………………………………………………………….14
Art Therapy………………………………………………………………16
IV. Methodology………………………………………………………………………...22
Qualitative Research……………………………………………………………..22
Single Case Study………………………………………………………………..22
Data Collection…………………………………………………………………..23
V. Results: Case Study…………………………………………………………………..25
General Information……………………………………………………………...25
IEP…………………………………………………………….………………….25
Family History, Interpersonal Relations…………………………………………26
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM

Current Functioning……………………………………………………………...26
Goals with Art Therapy Interventions…………………………………………...27
Session 1: House, Tree, Person…………………………………………………..28
Results……………………………………………………………………29
Analysis…………………………………………………………………..29
Session 2: Free Draw…………………………………………………………….30
Results……………………………………………………………………31
Analysis………………………………………………………………….32
Session 3: Family Drawing………………………………………………………33
Results……………………………………………………………………34
Analysis…………………………………………………………………..34
Session 4: Self-Portrait…………………………………………………………..35
Results……………………………………………………………………36
Analysis…………………………………………………………………..37
Conclusions – Individual Art Therapy Sessions…………………………………37
Session 5: Bottle-Bot…………………………………………………………….39
Results……………………………………………………………………40
Analysis………………………………………………………………….40
Session 6: Nature Portrait…………………………………………………..……41
Results………………………………………………………………..….42
Analysis……………………………………………………………….…43
Session 7: Recyclable Animal Friends…………………………………………..44
Results……………………………………………………………………45
Analysis………………………………………………………………..…45
Conclusions – Group Art Therapy Sessions…………………………………..…46
VI. Conclusions……………………………………………………………………….…48
General Conclusions……………………………………………………………..48
Limitations of the Study……………………………………………………….…48
Recommendations for Future Research………………………………………….49
References………………………………………………………………………………..51
Appendices……………………………………………………………………………….56
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM

List of Figures

Figure 1: Me and my House…………………………………………………. 29

Figure 2: Bunsen ………………………………………………………......... 31

Figure 3: Me and my Dad……………………………………………………. 33

Figure 4: I am Bunsen………………………………………………………… 36

Figure 5: Bobert the Bot………………………………………………………. 40

Figure 6: Miss Rachel…………………………………………………………. 42

Figure 7: Squid Buddy………………………………………………………… 44

ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 1

Art Therapy Interventions that Facilitate Non-Verbal Expressions and how Art Therapy

Can Improve Communication for Children with Autism

Introduction

Autism prevalence in children in America has increased by 119.4% since the year 2000.

This number grows annually by at least 6-15% (Autism Society, 2016). According to the

Centers for Disease Control, Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability

(Christensen et al., 2017). More than 3.5 million Americans live on the autism spectrum,

and autism services cost families about $236-262 billion each year (Autism Society,

2016). ASD occurs in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups (CDC, & Autism

Society of America, 2014). It affects 1 in 68 kids, and 1 in 42 boys specifically, as they

are 5x more likely than girls to be on the Autism Spectrum. (Autism Speaks Inc., 2012).

There is no known detection or cure for autism, so it is important that we as a society stay

up to date on knowledge of this neurological disorder.

ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 2

Literature Review

I. Autism

Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), refers to a range of conditions

characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal

communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences. The manifestations and

symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) present themselves in different ways.

Commonalities within the spectrum include, “atypicalities in eye contact, visual tracking,

disengagement of visual attention, orienting to name, imitation, social smiling, reactivity,

social interest and affect, and sensory-oriented behaviors. “Individuals with autism also

have a prolonged latency to disengage visual attention; a characteristic pattern of early

temperament, with marked passivity and decreased activity level at 6 months, followed

by extreme distress reactions, a tendency to fixate on particular objects in the

environment, and decreased expression of positive affect by 12 months; and delayed

expressive and receptive language” (Zwaigenbaum et al., 2004).

Cognitive functioning differs in each individual with ASD. Some may display a

wide range of abilities such as super intelligence, while others may have severe

intellectual disability (ID). Studies have shown deficits in cognitive functioning are more

prevalent in females, as well as individuals with known genetic abnormalities and

dysmorphic features (Grzadzinski et al., 2013).

DSM Diagnosis

There are three different types of autism: “Classic” Autistic Disorder, Asperger

Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).

Deficits in social communication and nonverbal skills also come into play when on the
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 3

spectrum. These “cause severe impairments in functioning, very limited initiation of

social interactions, and minimal response to social overtures from others” (Autism

Speaks Inc., 2012, p. 4,). There is evidence that autism is a result from abnormal brain

development (Castelli et al., 2002). The DSM-IV criterion also includes RRBs (rituals

and repetitive behaviors) as a noted symptom in individuals with ASD, as it is considered

an unusual sensory response and it is helpful in distinguishing ASD from other disorders.

The RRB features unusual communication and stereotyped language (Grzadzinski et al.,

2013).

DSM-IV provides 12 explicit criteria for autistic disorder, divided over the

domains of social interaction, communication, and stereotyped interests and repetitive

behaviors. A child must display at least six criteria for a diagnosis of autistic disorder to

be assigned. For a DSM-IV diagnosis of PDD-NOS, criteria are not explicit and are

somewhat ambiguous (Bruin et al., 2006, p. 1). The DSM-IV criterion for ASD has

changed many times throughout the past two decades. The change that received the

most attention from the media was the removal of DSM-IV clinical subtypes, as well as

content changes and new symptom structures. This change was due largely to the fact

that researchers have found, in many cases, that ASD symptoms are “best represented in

a two-domain model of social-communication deficits and restricted and repetitive

interests/behaviors, rather than by the DSM-IV triad of symptoms that models

communication deficits separate from social impairments” (Grzadzinski et al., 2013).

According to the DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder,

children with ASD have amplified cerebral volumes compared to children with typically

developing (TD) brains and developmentally delayed (DD) brains. Overall,

ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 4

“measurements of amygdalae and hippocampi in…young children with ASD reveal

enlargement for both girls and boys with ASD. For sub-region analyses, structural

abnormalities were observed primarily in boys, although this may reflect low statistical

power issues because of the small sample (seven girls with ASD) studied” (Sparks et al.,

2001, para. 3).

In the first histopathological studies, Bauman and Kemper (1994) described

cellular abnormalities, in particular reduced neuronal cell size and increased cell

packing density in the hippocampal complex, subiculum, entorhinal cortex,

amygdala, mamillary body, medial septal nucleus and anterior cingulate gyrus.

Outside the limbic system, reduced numbers of Purkinje cells were found in the

posterior and inferior regions of the cerebellum. In a more recent

neuropathological study, abnormalities in the limbic system were not investigated,

but pathology was found in various cortical regions including the cerebellum and

the brain stem (Bailey et al., 1998). This study also documented enlarged brain

size in autism. (Castelli et al., 2002, p. 1840)

The DSM diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder has changed over the years and

now includes a single diagnosis with variable levels of severity. “This umbrella spectrum

contains many different levels of classification ranging from highly functioning verbal

children to children with no verbal communication.” ASD is unique for each individual

who has it, so symptoms vary among person to person. Thus, the DSM-IV criterion for

ASD is continually changing to “compensate for each individual’s personal symptoms

rather than a child being grouped into one of the four categories previously used for

diagnosis in the DMV-IV” (Shaffer, 2014, p. 3-4).

ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 5

It is important to note that although Autism does have specific indicators, the

DSM recognizes that the disorder manifests itself differently in each individual. Some

persons may exhibit non-ASD symptoms such as “cognitive ability, expressive language

ability, onset patterns, and comorbid psychopathology” (Grzadzinski et al., 2013).

Autistic Disorder

Those with Autistic Disorder (AD), also known as “classic” autism, usually have

an intellectual disability, language delays, challenges in communication and social

settings, and unusual behaviors and interests (CDC, 2014, p. 2; Autism Society of

America, 2014, para. 1). They are known to exhibit substantial variation in the

presentation of sensory abnormalities to the environment, sensory reactivity, or unusual

sensory interests (Grzadzinski et al., 2013). These children tend to have problematic

emotional reactions, including “disturbances of emotion, attention, activity, and thought”

(Sparks et al., 2001). These behavioral problems occur in children with autism of all ages

(Sparks et al., 2001).

Autism is difficult to diagnose because there are no known biological markers and

the symptoms are hard to measure, especially among those with cognitive deficiencies

(King et al., 2009). Many people with Autism Spectrum Disorder have other comorbid

disorders as well. These disorders can cause severe clinical impairment along with

illnesses and other everyday difficulties. Problematic behaviors are considered to be a

manifestation of comorbid disorders, as it goes much deeper than the “typical” isolated

behaviors associated with ASD (Leyfer et al., 2006).

Asperger Syndrome
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 6

Those with Asperger Syndrome (AS) usually have milder symptoms of AD and

are higher functioning. They may experience challenges in socialization or express

strange interests and behaviors, but they usually don’t have problems with language or

intellectual disability (CDC, 2014, p. 2; Autism Society of America, 2014, para. 2).

Unlike other pervasive developmental disorders, those with AS have intelligence and

language within the normal range of functioning. General cognitive functioning is

preserved, but social skills are impaired, and this is a key feature of AS. The social skill

deficits that come with this disorder affect interactions with family, peers, and other

adults. Limited social abilities can inhibit their ability to “achieve normal developmental

milestones and establish satisfying peer and familial relationships” (Rao et al., 2007).

Social skill deficits in this community include: “lack of orientation towards a

social stimulus and inadequate use of eye contact, problems initiating social

interactions, difficulty interpreting both verbal and non-verbal social cues,

inappropriate emotional response, and lack of empathy to others’ distress.” These

individuals usually have difficulty expressing their own emotions, as well as

understanding others’ emotions and sharing emotions. These are skills that are vital to

developing relationships and social reciprocity. Social skill deficits can manifest

themselves as early as preschool, so it becomes easy to distinguish those with AS from

their typically developing peers (Rao et al., 2007).

In individuals with Asperger Syndrome, “small neuronal cell size and increased

cell packing density were found throughout the amygdala and the entorhinal cortex, while

other parts of the limbic system appeared to be normal” (Castelli et al., 2002, p. 1840,

para. 3).
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 7

Pervasive Developmental Disorder

Pervasive developmental disorder, aka “atypical autism,” “meet some of the

criteria for AD or Asperger, but not all, [and] may be diagnosed with PDD-NOS. People

with PDD-NOS usually have fewer and milder symptoms than those with AD, [and may]

cause only social and communication challenges” (CDC, 2014, p. 2; Autism Society of

America, 2014, para. 3). A diagnosis of PDD-NOS applies when an individual fails to

meet specific criteria for autistic disorder or another explicitly defined pervasive

developmental disorder (PDD), “but has similar difficulties in social interaction,

reciprocal communication, and/or stereotypical behavior” (Bruin et al., 2006, p. 1).

While all fall under the spectrum, there are some variations in the signs and

symptoms of each (CDC, 2014, p. 2; Autism Society of America, 2014, para. 4). ASDs

begin before the age of three and lasts throughout the individual’s lifetime. Symptoms

may not begin to manifest until 24 months or later, and the child may seem to develop

normally until about 18 to 24 months of age. Symptoms may improve over time, but

there is no known cure for the disorder (CDC, 2014, p. 2; Autism Society of America,

2014, para. 4).

There are some identifying signs of autism in a child as they grow. By 12 months,

14 months and 18 months, there are certain developmental milestones normally

developing children should reach. A child with autism at 12 months may not respond to

their name. At 14 months, they may not point to objects to show their interest in them. At

18 months, a child with autism may not be interested in playing pretend games. Children

with ASD typically

• avoid eye contact and want to be alone;

ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 8

• have trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about their own

feelings;

• have delayed speech and language skills;

• repeat words or phrases over and over (echolalia);

• have obsessive interests;

• flap their hands, rock their body, or spin in circles;

• and have unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel.

(CDC, 2014, p. 2; Autism Society of America, 2014, para. 4)

Everyday Life

Autism Spectrum Disorder interferes with three major functioning components of

everyday life: communication, behavior, and social skills. Symptoms of ASD include

repetitive movements, flapping arms, difficulty adjusting to un-routine events, and

sensitivity to overstimulation. Responses to normal social queues prove to be difficult,

and this is considered to be a significant identifying feature of autism. This characteristic

results in “disliking of affection, unstable emotions, poor pragmatic skills, and poor eye

contact with people,” also making the individual with autism prone to stigmatizations

from others (Shaffer, 2014). This issue stems from the inability “to translate cognitive

potential into real-life skills, defined as adaptive behaviors. These include a person’s

capacity for conversing with and understanding others, for taking care of one’s health,

grooming and domestic chores, participating in group and community activities, as well

as interacting with others and developing relationships among many other skills

necessary to successfully navigate the social world” (Klin et al., 2007, p. 748, para. 3).
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 9

In a study done by Kathleen Macintosh and Cheryl Dissanayake, two authors for

the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, “teachers and parents rated

children diagnosed with ASD as significantly more deficient in cooperation,

assertion, and self-control than a matched group of their typically developing

peers” (Rao et al., 2007). Children on the spectrum are very intelligent, and often

times are uncomfortably aware of their lack of social skills (Rao et al., 2007).

Kids with ASD rely greatly on structured routines in their everyday lives as it is

vital for their well-being. This not only affects the individual with autism, but the entire

family. Any ordinary daily routine can be stressful making things much more complex

for all involved (Shaffer, 2014). A study was conducted with parents of children with

ASD and they reported greater negative impact of having a child with a disability and

poorer well being compared to parents with kids of other developmental disorders (Smith

et al., 2009).
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 10

II. Communication

Inappropriate/Unhealthy Expressions

The autism spectrum disorder-behavioral problems for children (ASD-BPC)

“consists of 18 items pertaining to disruptive, aggressive, self-injurious, and stereotypic

behaviors commonly reported as challenging behaviors in children with ASD” (Matson,

2008). The ASD-BPC scale ranges from 0-2: “0 (not a problem or impairment), 1 (mild

problem or impairment), or 2 (severe problem or impairment)” (Matson, 2008). This is to

help measure problem behaviors to see if further assessment or clinical observations are

needed.

Challenging behaviors occur regularly for individuals with ASD. Many deal with

repetitive motor and verbal behaviors, self-injuries, delayed speech and language skills,

and unusual interests and reactions to the things around them. Repetitive and

“stereotyped” behaviors are the most common associated with ASD and are ranked at a

higher intensity. It is important to note, though, that these behaviors are primary

symptoms of ASD, and each individual may need to be handled and cared for differently

as symptoms vary case by case (Matson, 2008).

Verbal/Nonverbal

“Autism spectrum disorders are characterized by deficits in social interaction and

communication, as well as the presence of stereotyped behavior and restricted interests”

(White et al., 2009). Early language and nonverbal skills are considered to be indicators

of ASD. Social disabilities are correlated directly with verbal inability among this

community, as social communication and social queues can be hard to adapt to. In a

study done by the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), “Lower levels of
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 11

nonverbally mediated intelligence were predictors of greater social disability

in…younger but not…older children, although in the latter group the size of the

discrepancy between nonverbal and verbal intelligence was an even stronger predictor

of social impairment” (Klin et al., 2007, p. 750, para. 5).

Anxiety

High levels of anxiety among the Autism Spectrum community are very common.

This has been found to be a huge reason as to why individuals on the spectrum may have

compulsive disorders to repetitive behaviors. In a study done by Simon Baron-Cohen,

“high-functioning kids with autism were compared with two control groups on measures

of anxiety and social worries,” compared to other control groups with children with

specific language impairments (SLI) and normally developing children. Those with

autism were found to be more anxious on both measures. “High anxiety subscale scores

for the autism group were separation anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder” (Gillott

et al., 2001). Children with autism not only demonstrate higher levels of anxiety, but also

depression problems as they age. These problems can have a significant impact on their

overall development and adaption skills. Psychiatric and verbal/non-verbal skills were

also found to be correlated in individuals on the spectrum (Klim et al., 2000).

In individuals with autism, anxiety may worsen during young adulthood and poor

stress management becomes a concern. Adolescents become more aware of their

differences and social inabilities. Recognition of this problem among the community is

not a new finding. It is often stereotyped that all individuals with ASD prefer isolation

and low social communication, and while this is true much of the time, it is because of

social anxiety. Many do wish they had the ability to connect with others and are aware of
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 12

their “social disconnectedness” and wish the situation could be different. As one can

imagine, this can be extremely stressful and frustrating, especially among those who are

higher functioning on the spectrum. “Social anxiety may contribute to avoidance of social

situations, awkward interactions with peers, and promote further isolation from same-age

peers” (White et al., 2009). This makes those with ASD prone to bullying and is why

many end up in isolation.

ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 13

III. Treatments

Cognitive Therapy

Many behavioral therapies have been used to treat young children with autism

spectrum disorders, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Pivotal Response

Training (PRT). Older individuals with ASD may better benefit from Cognitive

Behavioral Therapy (Anderson, 2012).

Applied Behavior Analysis. Studies have shown that ABA has positive long-

term effects for behavior intervention, intellectual functioning, language development,

daily living skills, and social functioning in children with autism (Virués-Ortega, 2009).

Although there are several models of ABA intervention in autism and developmental

disabilities, all bonafide programs should share a common set of core features:

• treatment may begin as early as 3 to 4 years of age,

• intense intervention (20-40 hours a week),

• incidental teaching and practice goals may be operating during most waking

hours,

• interventions are individualized for the child targeting their specific needs with a

wide range of skills,

• multiple behavior analytic procedures are used to develop adaptive repertoires,

• treatment is delivered in one-to-one format with gradual transition to group

activities and natural contexts,

• treatment goals are conducted by normal developmental practices,

• parents are trained to become active co-therapists

(Virués-Ortega, 2009, p. 388, para. 2)

ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 14

Pivotal Response Training. Pivotal Response Training, or PRT, is “a set of

procedures designed to increase motivation and promote generalization” by engaging in a

multitude of involved social behaviors. This includes modeling, role-playing, and

moralistic instruction, much like play therapy. This has been proven to help children with

autism maintain interactions with peers, play and hold conversations, and increase

language skills and attention span. Teachers have even been known to report positive

changes in classroom and social behaviors (Pierce et al., 1995).

Expressive Therapy

According to the Research Autism corporation, “Creative and expressive

therapies are any interventions in which a therapist uses a creative or expressive art form

to help a client.” This is based on the notion that all people have the ability to respond to

innovative activities and that this can lead to positive changes in behavior and emotional

regulations. One of the benefits of creative therapies is that there is no need for already

present skills to engage in activities. It is a less threatening form of therapy and should be

seen as a more relaxed and fun approach for the client. These therapy practices include

Art Therapy, Dance and Movement Therapy, Drama Therapy, Music Therapy, and Play

Therapy (Research Autism, 2015).

Expressive therapies are known to introduce action to traditional psychotherapy,

and that action is not limited to one specific “mode” of expression. This is beneficial,

because just as certain people learn in different ways, we can also accept the benefits of

therapy differently. Expressive therapies allow for different expressive styles; so while

one individual may be more visual, another can be more tactile, etc. When a therapist can

introduce a multitude of methods, this may better help the client. Some may argue that
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 15

the traditional “talk therapy” is best, but the expressive therapies have been known to

yield positive results as well (Malchiodi et al., 2007).

Expressive Therapies, a book edited by Cathy A. Malchiodi, talks about the

creative art therapies extensively. She explains that while expressive therapies can be

considered a specific domain of psychotherapy and counseling, the domain exhibits a set

of individual approaches. Here are some practices Malchiodi talks about:

Art Therapy uses art media, images, and the creative process, and respects

patient/client responses to the created products as reflections of

development, abilities, personality, interests, concerns, and conflicts. It is a

therapeutic means of reconciling emotional conflicts, fostering self-

awareness, developing social skills, managing behavior, solving problems,

reducing anxiety, aiding reality orientation, and increasing self-esteem.

(American Art Therapy Association, 2004, p. 2)

Music therapy uses music to effect positive changes in the “psychological,

physical, cognitive, or social functioning of people with health/mental or

educational problems” (American Music Therapy Association, 2004).

Drama therapy is the methodical and deliberate use of drama exercises and

theatre processes to gain therapeutic goals of “symptom relief, emotional and

physical integration, and personal growth.” It is an active practice that helps clients

tell their story and act out solutions to solve problems and provide a release

troubles in a healthy outlet understand the meaning of images, strengthen their

ability to realize their personal roles in everyday life and increase flexibility for new
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 16

roles, and “extend the depth and breadth of inner experience” (National Drama

Therapy Association, 2004). (Malchiodi et al., 2007).

Expressive therapies have been falsely labeled as strictly “non-verbal” therapies,

and this is not correct. Expressive therapies, such as art therapy, incorporate both verbal

and non-verbal communication. Verbal communication of thoughts, feelings, and ideas is

a fundamental part of most therapies. However, for a child who has limited language

skills, an elderly person who has lost the ability to converse with others because of a

stroke or dementia, or a trauma victim who may be unable to put ideas into speech due to

crippling fear, “expression through art, music, movement, or play can be ways to convey

oneself without words and may be the primary form of communication in therapy”

(Malchiodi et al., 2007).

Art Therapy

Art therapy within the Autism Spectrum community is a very common practice

used. It is designed to effect change and promote growth in a personal, non-threatening

manner, through the use of various art materials in a protected environment. Art

therapists should promote healthy outlets and habits for their clients to engage in and

encourage the individual with autism to express themselves in appropriate ways

(Research Autism, 2015). Art therapy is especially beneficial to this population as it

offers a variety of outlets for expression.

Imagine being chronically over-stimulated, with inadequate communication tools,

difficulty focusing, and anxiety. This is the world of a person with autism. Art

therapy provides real relief; a visual tool for communication, a window to the

imagination, and a motivation to make connections. Art therapists are fluent in

ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 17

providing high-quality, visual, sensory-rich opportunities for learning for

individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. (Martin, 2012, para. 2)

According to Kathy Evans and Janek Dubowski, there are different modes to art

therapy. They range from “working developmentally by helping individuals to move

from one stage of drawing development to the next, to intervening psychotherapeutically

with a focus on the alleviation of psychological problems and distress” (Evans et al.,

2001).

A study was conducted through Florida State University (FSU) by researcher and

professor, Theresa Van Lith, working with art therapists to find better ways to help

children with ASD. She found there wasn’t a consensus for one specific approach, but

there were a number of theoretical approaches together that worked differently for

different people. Although the results varied, the researches came up with a set of

guidelines that they found beneficial to this community. Some of the best practices found

were: “use the same routine to begin each session, explain instructions in a consistent

manner, spark curiosity to teach new skills and be aware of transitions between activities”

(Florida State University, 2017).

Although art therapy is known to be a less threatening form of therapy and allows

for creative expression, there still needs to be guidelines. Especially with the ASD

community, a routine should be set in place. Also, being overly directive or too loose

with direction can be harmful. The therapist must keep in mind sensory issues the client

may have. Using over-stimulating art materials or forcing communication while the child

is being restrictive may yield negative affects (Florida State University, 2017).
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 18

Ways Art Therapy can help with Autism. According to Diane Safran, an art

and marital/family therapist, for those with Autism and ADHD, “art acts an active

medium that uses this population’s strong visual learning skills with structured directives

as a way to elicit expressed feelings.” It helps increase social skills reducing isolation

tendencies, and promoting better verbal communication (Oster & Crone, 2004).

Art therapy has been known to help assist those with autism and ADHD in

relieving symptoms and enhancing self-esteem. Autism and ADHD impact home and

school life and maintaining friendships. According to Safran, “drawings often portray the

emotional pain, social isolation, and unhappiness due to symptoms, such as inattention,

impulsivity, and hyperactivity.” When dealing with this population, final sessions on how

to resolve problems should be “structured through drawing personal and interpersonal

obstacles and creating images and symbols to illustrate their resolutions.” Art therapy

should help promote feedback, and even role-playing with the client as suggestions for

different problem solving skills for rejection or acceptance. New behaviors should form

and be encouraged, and more risks be taken (Oster & Crone, 2004).

Art therapy can address Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD),

a pervasive problem in autism, which contributes to a great deal of difficult

emotions and behaviors, yet is too often overlooked. Seemingly innocuous

sensations, such as the texture of carpet, fluorescent lighting, crunchy foods, the

hum of a refrigerator, may be irritating, or even excruciating, to people with

autism. When thus over-stimulated, people with autism may become agitated,

avoidant or simply “shut down” and become impassive in order to escape the

unpleasant stimulus. (Lacour, 2017)

ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 19

“One of the most common goals in art therapy is to increase tolerance for

unpleasant stimuli, while channeling self-stimulating behavior into more creative

activity” (Lacour, 2017). Because art is naturally enjoyable, a child with autism may be

more likely to endure textures and smells they might otherwise avoid if it was not part of

a fun art process. Regularly confronting stimuli they would usually prefer to avoid helps

to desensitize the children to them, making it more tolerable when they encounter these

sensations in everyday life and situations. “A child who learned to deal with paper

mache, for instance, might then find that handling slimy hand soap was no longer so

unpleasant” (Lacour, 2017).

Sensory fixations are another common feature of autism. Some people may stare

in rapt attention at their fingers as they flick them back and forth or endlessly twisting

tiny strips of paper. Repetitively engaging in such self-stimulating behaviors (or

“stimming”) can make 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 channel non-functional or inappropriate

stimming into socially acceptable, creative outlets. (Lacour, 2017)

Individual/Group Formats

Many children on the autism spectrum experience a plethora of disabilities that

require specific assistance, either in a group setting or individual setting. Debates have

been made whether one may be better beneficial over the other, although there is no

existing literature examining this theory. McKinzie Craig Sheridan, a Graduate student of

the University of Kentucky in 2012, conducted a case study to compare these two
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 20

formats. This case study was conducted with a six-year-old girl, Nancy, with moderate

autism spectrum disorder to investigate the “relative effectiveness of individual versus

group therapy” (Sheridan, 2012).

The effectiveness of individual versus group therapy typically depends on the

person. Some may yield better results when being with others who are easy to relate to,

while some may work better with individualized one-on-one attention. In this specific

case study conducted by Sheridan, “results [indicated] that individual sessions yielded

larger improvement with syntax and semantics, while group sessions produced greater

progress with pragmatics and social skills, suggesting that a combination of both therapy

types may be most beneficial. Social validation of group therapy also signified high

parent satisfaction with overall growth during the semester” (Sheridan, 2012).

In this specific case study, results yielded that for this child, group therapy

presented to be more beneficial. The group format helped in the child’s overall social

skills and communication skills. Her imaginary play became more inclusive, and positive

changes were occurring at school, claiming the child was able to sit calmly with others

and better interact with her peers. When individual sessions were conducted with the

child, Sheridan reported “often times Nancy would sing the group welcome song to the

clinician or ask about the activities for the next group session during the concluding

minutes. It became evident that she was growing to love the social experience as well as

her new friends” (Sheridan, 2012).

The overall conclusion of the case study conducted by Sheridan provided

confirmation that “group therapy not only greatly impacted [Nancy’s] pragmatics, but it
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 21

also contributed to improved syntax and semantics as well”. This contributes to the

theory that,

Individual therapy sessions [with the Autism Spectrum population] are typically

used for direct teaching of language [and interpersonal skills], with an emphasis

on syntax and semantics…[while] group therapy appears to be a more appropriate

setting for addressing pragmatic skills because it is more feasible to address social

language skills with a group of people (Sheridan, 2012).

ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 22

IV. Research Methodology

Qualitative Research

Qualitative research is defined as research that is primarily exploratory. “It is used

to gain an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations. It provides

insights into the problem or helps to develop ideas or hypotheses for potential

quantitative research” (DeFranzo, 2011). Qualitative research seeks patterns, but

accommodates and explores differences within data. It is theory generated, inductive, and

values personal involvement, which is why it is a crucial part to any case study (Braun,

2013). It encompasses many different methodologies, but ultimately focuses on

phenomena that occur or have previously occurred in the real world. Lastly, qualitative

research involves capturing and studying the complexity of said phenomena (Leedy et. al,

2010, p. 251).

According to Leedy, to evaluate the qualitative research, there must be

purposefulness, explicitness of assumptions and biases, rigor, open-mindedness,

completeness, coherence, persuasiveness, consensus, and usefulness.

Single Case Study

According to recent research, a single case study, or single case design “is an

evaluation method that can be used to rigorously test the success of an intervention or

treatment on a particular case (i.e., a person, school, community) and to also provide

evidence about the general effectiveness of an intervention using a relatively small

sample size” (Ryan et al., 2012). Generally, single case studies use graphic investigation

of data to methodically compare individuals’ target behaviors before they receive an

intervention. Sometimes the individuals change only after the mediation is initiated, and
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 23

this suggests that the intervention was responsible for the behavior change (Ryan et al.,

2012).

Case studies are beneficial for learning more about a little known situation or

diagnosis. It is also helpful for investigating how an individual or program changes over

the years due to conditions or interventions. It is most useful for “generating preliminary

support for one or more hypotheses regarding the phenomenon being investigated”

(Leedy et al., 2010, p. 254). The one downside to a single case study is that we cannot be

sure that the findings are the same for all other situations.

Data Collection

Data collection is defined as “a systematic approach to gathering and measuring

information from a variety of sources to get a complete and accurate picture of an area of

interest” (Rouse, 2016). There are many different methods to data collection. Some

include surveys, interviews, and focus groups, which is why a case study is an effective

approach to collecting data.

In qualitative research, methodology often involves an iterative process, where the

researcher goes between data found, and data analysis, which is sometimes called the

constant comparative method (Leedy et al., 2010).

For example, the researcher might collect some preliminary data in a natural

setting; inspect the data for possible patterns; return to the setting to collect

additional data that might substantiate, clarify, or contradict those patterns; and

conduct a more thorough, detailed analysis of the data. (Leedy et al., 2010, p. 259)

Many qualitative studies are characterized by emergent design. Emergent design is when

data is collected early in the investigation of the case study. While doing this, having a
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 24

pre-determined plan already set forth is essential. Also, data collection methods “must be

consistent with ethical principles.” The individuals being studied must know the nature of

the study and be willing participants (Leedy et al., 2010, p. 259).

Facility. Kid Esteem Montessori School is a private school for children ages 5-

12, aimed at “helping children and families learn social skills, emotional intelligence,

anxiety management, ADHD behavior strategies, and Autism Spectrum Disorder

integration through fun kid-centered programs and creative arts” (The Kid Esteem

School). Most of these children fall on the Autism Spectrum and exhibit difficulties in

social and verbal communication, anger management, and hyperactivity. Some are higher

functioning, while many others have severe intellectual disabilities.

This school incorporates many different expressive therapies to help the children

with their specific needs including art therapy and drama therapy, as well as special

services such as occupational, physical, and speech therapy. Most children in the school

are on the autism spectrum, while others struggle solely with behavioral issues and no

link to autism. Many of these kids have individualized education plans (IEPs), as well as

one-to-one aides to help assist in classroom activities.

ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 25

V. Results: Case Study

General Information

During the summer of 2017, I had the privilege to work with a child, who will be

given the pseudonym of BM for this paper, at Kid Esteem Montessori School. BM is an

8-year-old Caucasian boy who lives with his parents and younger brother in Lindenhurst,

NY. Both BM and his brother attend Kid Esteem Montessori School. My goal while

working with BM was to help improve his concentration skills and reduce anxious

behaviors.

Overall, the client seemed to be well cared for and well nourished. BM presented

many anxious behaviors while in class and in sessions. He had repetitive motor

movements such as flapping his hands or shaking, tensing his body and placing his hands

to the side of his head, as well as jumping or running back and forth on his toes. BM’s

concentration was very limited and he needed help with refocusing and redirection during

classroom activities.

IEP

BM was in the third grade. He had a one-to-one aide to help assist him in

academic activities and attended services such as resource room and occupational therapy

once a week, and speech/language therapy twice a week. While working with BM in his

art classes and some individual one-to-one time, BM could not sit still. Even if interested

in the presented task, he would get up from time to time to walk around or engage in his

repetitive motor behaviors. When fully occupied in an art directive BM enjoys, he took

his time and focused on specific colors (usually aquamarine, pink, and purple). BM’s

attention to detail and color is very interesting. According to Diane Safran, for those with
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 26

ADHD, “art acts an active medium that uses this population’s strong visual learning skills

with structured directives as a way to elicit expressed feelings” (Oster & Crone, 2004). In

doing this, it can help increase his concentration.

BM took to working with me very quickly. Most times, he would enjoy sitting on

my lap or very close next to me with my face beside his. He would wrap his arms around

my body many times throughout our sessions and stay in a lingering hug.

Family History, Interpersonal Relations

BM had a very close relationship with his father. He spoke about him many times

in our sessions together. BM loved playing with Dad and stated that he wished he worked

at home so they could spend more time together. In school, BM preferred to play in

isolation. During lunch, he rarely interacted or talked with peers. BM told me at home, he

doesn’t enjoy playing with his younger brother because “he plays games wrong,” and

doesn’t listen to BM’s directions. I noticed BM enjoyed talking with adults more than

with kids his age.

This tendency toward social isolation could be related to his need for closeness

when working with me. It has been shown that art therapy helps those with autism

increase their social skills (Oster & Crone, 2004), and that was one of my goals while

working with BM.

Current Functioning

BM is a very bright child. He uses his language for a variety of communicative

functions, such as commenting, responding, asking permission, acknowledging, and

clarifying when communication breakdowns occur. He is interested in talking and

learning about a variety of topics, shares information in group discussions, as well as

ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 27

sharing personal experiences. BM speaks in full sentences, but has difficulty formulating

longer, more complex thoughts in connected speech, resulting in hesitations, repetitions

of words/phrases, and grammatical errors.

BM is able to initiate and maintain conversational topics appropriately for several

speak-listener turns with moderate assistance during structured activities. He requires

prompting to use appropriate non-verbal communication behaviors, such as facing

forward, eye contact, and remaining close to the peer he is talking with. His ability to

follow oral directions is inconsistent, and he needs help with refocusing and redirection

during classroom activities.

Goals of Art Therapy Interventions

My goal while working with BM was to help him increase attention during class

and reduce anxious activities. This will better his classroom and academic experience as

he continues through school, and will help both him and I better understand how his

diagnosis impacts his everyday functioning and interactions. Art therapy has been known

to help assist those with autism and ADHD in relieving symptoms and enhancing self-

esteem. Autism and ADHD impact home and school life and maintaining friendships

(Oster & Crone, 2004). This definitely plays into BM’s social isolation. According to

Safran, “drawings often portray the emotional pain, social isolation, and unhappiness due

to symptoms, such as inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.” When dealing with this

population, final sessions on how to resolve problems should be “structured through

drawing personal and interpersonal obstacles and creating images and symbols to

illustrate their resolutions” (Oster & Crone, 2004). I wanted to promote concentration in

our art making tasks, as well as show BM how to work/play with others by working and
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 28

playing with me. Safran says, “through feedback and role-playing suggestions of problem

solving for acceptance or rejection, new behaviors should be formed, and more risks be

taken between sessions” (Oster & Crone, 2004). I wanted to see BM honing his anxious

tendencies into his art and walk through them while improving communication, as well as

developing healthier behaviors as new coping mechanisms.

Other goals while working with BM included providing a safe expressive outlet,

expanding emotional vocabulary (BM hardly expressed emotions outside of happiness,

excitement, or boredom), supporting and increasing attention span, strengthening self-

esteem, and developing expression of mood.

In my four months of working at Kid Esteem with BM, I was able to conduct

individual sessions with BM, as well as work with him during group activities. It allowed

me to see how he functions and cooperates with others and on his own.

Session 1: HTP

For this first session, I wanted to get a better grasp of BM’s personal life. The

HTP is a great tool to use with clients because “the three objects were chosen due to their

common familiarity to very young children, their acceptance by people of all ages, and

their ability to stimulate an enhanced fund of free associations.” Drawings of these

objects have been known to be helpful as a screening device for detecting maladjustment,

and an evaluative aid for kids beginning school (Oster & Crone, 2004).
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 29

Figure 1: Me and my House

Results

BM was not very interested in this directive and completed the drawing within 5

minutes. It lacks detail and consists of basic, messy lines. BM was very adamant on using

just one of his favorite colors, blue, for the entire picture. While drawing, BM was

disconnected, stopping after creating each item and tensing his body, raising his hands to

his head. He kept leaving his seat to walk around the room.

Analysis/Graphomotor factors

• Sequence: BM worked from right-to-left, drawing his house first, himself as a

stick figure, and then the tree. This process of moving opposite on the page

can possibly indicate disorganized or scattered thinking (Oster & Crone,

2004). When having discussions with others, BM does have a tendency to

jump from one subject to another very quickly, and are most times completely

unrelated. This relates to the way a brain affected by autism works. It is less

flexible than other brains. When a child with autism is fixated on something
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 30

he enjoys, the brain has a hard time allowing new information to come in.

This can result in a switch of topics easily if something else enjoyable comes

up (“Why Do Kids with Autism Do That?”, 2017).

• The lack of details in the drawing can indicate withdrawn tendencies, feelings

of emptiness or depression (Oster & Crone, 2004). As I’ve been working with

BM, I do not see any signs of depression.

• Placement/Orientation: The picture is oriented to the left of the page and is

hovering above the ground line. Orientation to the left of the page can indicate

a link to the past, and hovering over the ground line can mean the client has a

higher degree of fantasy thinking or is less reality-based (Oster & Crane,

2004). BM does tend to lack a sense of reality, at times forgetting the settings

he’s in. He has a great connection to cartoons and loves talking about them. It

is, although, important to take into consideration that BM is only 8, and most

children do have a higher degree of fantasy thinking.

Session 2: Free Draw

In my next directive, I asked BM to do a free drawing to see what some of his

likes and dislikes are. BM was provided with a big sheet of paper and an array of markers

and crayons to use. I again wanted to do a drawing since drawings “act as an active

medium that uses [the ADHD] population’s strong visual learning skills” (Oster & Crone,

2004). BM’s favorite TV show and cartoon character is “Bunsen is a Beast.” This

eventually became a reoccurring theme in much of BM’s artwork. Many times, he would

relay whatever he was currently making to represent Bunsen, or he would end up talking

about him during the session. BM has a strong connection with this imaginary television
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 31

character, and he later explained to me during the directive how and why he relates to

Bunsen.

Figure 2. Bunsen

Results

BM was very invested in this drawing, taking about 20 minutes to complete. He

kept total concentration in his process, focusing on details, making sure he had all the

correct colors to create his beast (this plays into BM’s strong visual skills). Being very

engaged in this project, BM’s repetitive motor behaviors were to a minimum, and he

didn’t leave his seat to roam around the room, showing me he was much calmer. It was

during this drawing I got to learn a little about BM’s family dynamic at home. BM told

me he does not enjoy playing with his younger brother and prefers playing alone, which

has been stated earlier.

BM expressed how Bunsen looked “exactly like him!” BM explained to me the

premise of the TV show “Bunsen is a Beast.” He explained that Bunsen is a monster who

tries to fit in the human world, but once given a specific food, turns into a monstrous
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 32

beast who tries to eat his friends. BM said he’s like Bunsen when he gets angry and that

sometimes he “runs around wild” too. But most of the time, BM is perfectly pleasant.

Analysis

This drawing was made on the ground line and oriented in the center of the page.

Center placement can be an indication of the present (Oster & Crone, 2004). I feel as

though this TV show for BM is a huge focal point in his life, as Bunsen has become a

reoccurring character in our sessions. It may be important to note the attention to detail

with the use of colors in BM’s artwork. He stuck with using dark blue, turquoise, pink,

purple, and black for the outline. Following this session, these colors also became a

reoccurring theme in many of his artworks. Whether that is because he relates these

colors directly to Bunsen, or because he naturally enjoys them on his own, he never really

specified except to say, “I like them!”

Graphomotor factors

• Sequence: BM began his drawing from the bottom up. He then colored the

middle portion first, the head, and then the horns. After coloring, he added

the arms, tail, and legs. Lastly, he did the “Bunsen is a Beast” TV bubble.

It struck me as interesting that he started his drawing from the bottom

rather than top. This can be an indication of disorganized thinking, much

like moving from right to left on the page, which BM has done before.

• Placement/Orientation: As mentioned earlier, this picture is oriented in the

center of the page and on the ground line. Although it is centered, it does

slightly move more toward the right with “Bunsen is a Beast” logo. This

could be an indication of moving from one’s present into the future. BM

ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 33

many times would talk with me about his plans for the weekend with his

dad, but would then always return to the present moment to focus on and

talk about what he was working on. So this is very prevalent to me in this

piece of artwork.

Session 3: Family Drawing

BM expressed that he would like to draw a picture for Dad for Father’s Day.

Family drawings are a helpful and insightful tool in art therapy. They provide a better

understanding on family structure in the client’s life. The family drawing tends to “reveal

attitudes toward family members and perceptions of family roles.” This can be expressed

by the size and placement of figures, and by substitutions or exaggerations of certain

family members (Oster & Crone, 2004).

Figure 3. Me and my Dad

In BM’s drawing, he only drew himself and his father. He spoke a lot about his

father during the activity, but not much about his mother or brother. BM drew himself

and his father as stick figures, holding hands and smiling. At the top of the page, he
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 34

wrote, “I Love You, Dad,” by drawing an eye, a heart, the letter “u”, and a smiley face as

his father. BM expressed that although he prefers playing alone usually, he loves playing

with dad and wishes he worked at home so they had more time to play together.

Results

BM, again, was much calmer while creating this picture, with repetitive motor

behaviors to a minimum. He did create the drawing quickly, and as soon as he was done

he wanted to roam around the room. This did prove to stimulate conversation and BM

was able to maintain eye contact with me during several speak-listener turns.

Analysis

The substitution of BM’s mom and brother could indicate a lack of closeness with

these family members, and the emphasis on the “I love you, Dad” represents the great

importance BM’s dad plays in his life. BM drew the two standing very close together and

holding hands. The proximity of the figures suggests a strong relationship between the

two (Kerr, 2015).

This drawing is also centered with no ground line, and has little attention to detail.

Although we can clearly see this is a pleasant picture, there is a lack of expression in the

faces, with just faint smiles drawn. There is nothing represented in the background to

suggest where the two may be, and it lacks color. There is also a scribble toward the

bottom of the page. Based on previous experience, most times, when children make

mistakes in drawings or paintings, they want to cover it up. BM was unbothered by his

mistake mark and chose to leave it on the picture. Rather than feelings of apathy toward

his artwork, this seems to stem from disinterest in the directive. Although he wanted to

make something nice for his father, he wasn’t fully engaged in what he was doing.
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 35

Graphomotor factors

• Sequence: This drawing only takes up a small portion of the page, leaving

much of the page blank. BM began by drawing his father first and then

himself, and added the words at the top of the page last. This was my first

time seeing BM move from left to right on the page, or in a “sequential”

manner, as opposed to his HTP drawing and his Bunsen drawing where he

worked from bottom to top. Moving out of order is usually a sign of

scattered thinking, but I believe BM’s adoration for his father is very

present in his life and something he sure of, maybe making this piece more

relevant and concrete to him.

• Placement/orientation: As discussed earlier, this drawing is centered on

the page. It is hovering way above the ground line, lacking a base. Once

again, hovering over the ground can indicate a degree of fantasy thinking,

which BM most certainly does frequently.

Session 4: Self-Portrait

During this session, BM was asked to create a self-portrait using a paper plate,

pom-pom balls, and pipe cleaners. The rationale for creating a self-portrait was that

“person drawings” can provide the therapist insight as to how the client sees himself, or

who he wishes to be. It also stimulates conscious awareness of “bodily image and self-

concept, both physically and psychologically” (Oster & Crone, 2004). In this session, the

focus was only on the face.

BM really took his time creating this self-portrait, laughing often as he worked. I

believe this was a good outlet for BM to view himself in a different way, and it allowed
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 36

him to express his creativity. I also wanted to stray away from the drawings we were

continually working on, as I wanted to encourage BM to think abstractly. Due to the

autism, BM can be very technical and “two-dimensional” in the way in which he

approaches things. I knew BM enjoyed play-doh, but even with that, he would handle the

media in a 2D way, creating an image flat on the table. This self-portrait was a good way

to challenge BM in his traditional, concrete thinking and allow him to explore and work

with different materials.

Figure 4. I am Bunsen

Results

BM was very interested in this project and had a lot of fun making it. His

concentration remained on the art while he sat in my lap giggling, rarely raising his arms

to his head or tensing his body. He began taking the biggest pom-pom balls for his eyes,

then making sure to pick two smaller black pom-poms for his pupils. He chose yellow for

the eyes because it is one of his favorite colors. BM chose pink pom-pom balls for his
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 37

lips since his lips are pink. The three yellow pom-poms to the side below his mouth are

his teeth. He again chose yellow because he likes the color.

Analysis

The two purple pipe cleaners on the top of the plate are BM’s eyebrows. BM

expressed, “he loves that his purple eyebrows look just like Bunsen’s ears!”

At the end of the project, I asked BM how this portrait made him feel. He

expressed that he was very happy and excited and said, “I love it because it looks exactly

like me!” This was an effective directive with BM as it really allowed him to engage in

more tactile practices, sparking more of his interest.

Graphomotor factors

• Sequence: BM began by choosing all the pom-poms he would need to

complete the piece. He then placed the two big yellow pom-pom balls for

the eyes, then the pink for the lips. After, he returned to the eyes adding

the two black pom-poms for the pupils and when finished said, “Oh! I

need to add his teeth,” and then put the three yellow pom-poms below the

mouth. The last thing he added was the “eyebrows.” BM did move in a

somewhat sequential manner, but did not focus on finishing one detail at

the same time. His approach to this was seeing the portrait as a whole,

almost like an outline, and going back to the details later (such as adding

the black for the pupils and yellow for the teeth).

Conclusions – Individual Art Therapy Sessions

BM much preferred working in a one-to-one setting rather than in group settings.

It was easier to hold his attention and keep him engaged. If the directive was not
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 38

something that particularly interested him, BM would tend to work quickly and ask what

project would be next. If it was something that really excited him, he would engage

himself in the whole process, focusing much of his attention on detail to colors.

During each individual session, BM liked to sit close to me or on my lap with our

faces touching. BM is a very affectionate child, but that affection lacks in his artwork and

lacks in his play with other classmates. He doesn’t typically depict other children or

creatures in his drawings (besides the one of him and his father). Everything is made by

itself. I learned in my sessions with him that he does enjoy partnership, but not with peers

his age, and this was one of the things I continually tried working on with him in our time

together.

A reoccurring topic in our sessions together was his father. BM had a very close

relationship with his father and always spoke about how he loved to play with him and

wished he worked at home so they could spend more time together. It was this need for

partnership that I tried to encourage and advance in BM when it came to playing with his

peers, but he struggled with this. He was always much more interested in playing with me

or with another adult.

ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 39

Group Protocols

Each week during the summer camp that the school offered, there was a new

theme. I was instructed to create protocols based on the theme for the week. Group

protocols were geared toward promoting socialization and helping children to work and

play better with peers, while providing an outlet for anger management issues. Other

goals within the group were to support creative group expression and sharing with others,

increase attention span while working with others, support decision-making and coping

skills, improve mood, develop empathy, and improve ability to function in a group. Many

times during group sessions, children would speak over one another and yell, and even

sometimes make fun of others for their ideas or creations. These protocols were centered

on having the children communicate better with everyone, making sure all ideas were

heard.

Session 5: Bottle-Bot

During this week at the summer camp, the theme was “Mad Scientist.” Many of

the children at the camp struggled with anger management, along with symptoms of

ASD, and many had trouble working or playing together. This art therapy directive was

geared toward teaching the students how to work collaboratively on a project by making

known their ideas to the group, while also listening to others. The end product resulted in

a very tall robot, which the children named, “Bobert the Bot.”
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 40

Figure 5. Bobert the Bot

Results

BM very much enjoyed this project, but took to it with isolation. He preferred to

sit off on his own and create his own separate robot rather than making one large one. I

then directed him to create his own part of the robot, i.e. a leg or arm, etc., which we

could then add to the whole. BM liked this idea. He created the torso of the robot using

pink construction paper as a vest and colored red circles for buttons. BM then added

sparkly red string as a tie. He was very pleased with the outcome.

Analysis

BM’s choice in coloring was very specific. He insisted on using pink and red for

the robot’s shirt. When asked as to why he wanted to use those colors he replied,

“because they are very pretty.” BM typically wore colors such as blue or green to school,

so I found this choice is opposing, or supposedly more “girly” colors to be very

ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 41

interesting. This could maybe be due to the fact of social norms that are generally placed

on children growing up such as, “blue is for boys, and pink is for girls.” I don’t see this as

an act of rebellion on his part, but just as a way to show what colors he truly enjoys.

Again, there was specificity in color choices as he had done many times before.

The pink could be partially representative of Bunsen, or possibly representative of his

mood this day. BM was particularly very happy and upbeat on this day, roaming around

the room wanting to play, but he did not want to play with others – just with this writer or

by himself. This could have been due to overstimulation, being surrounded by so many

children and art options. Although it was exciting and fun, it was maybe too much to

handle. The closeness in colors (the similarity between pink and red) may possibly

showcase this emotion.

Graphomotor factors

• Sequence: BM started by first folding the paper around the bottle and

asking me to lay down the glue, rather than putting the glue on first and

sticking the paper down. He then drew on the buttons and lastly added the

tie. His approach was a bit more scattered compared to the way the other

children made their parts of the robot, first placing glue down and working

around it. The more I worked with BM, the more I saw this tendency

toward disorganized thinking.

Session 6: Nature Portrait

The weekly theme for Session 6 was nature. For this directive, materials from

nature were provided, including leaves, twigs, and flowers,. The children were directed to

create portraits using these items. Portraits could represent themselves, or anyone else
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 42

that they would like. The children then shared with the group, explaining who they made

and why.

Figure 6. Miss Rachel

Results

BM expressed that he would like to create a portrait of me. He was very hesitant

to work on it on his own and asked if I could create it. I first encouraged him to create it

on his own, but he became very distracted and wanted to run around the room. I then told

him he could tell me what items he would like where and exactly how he wanted the

portrait to be portrayed.

He chose flowers for my hair, an orange peel for my face, and a long stem of

leaves for my body creating a dress. I told him my favorite color was purple, so he chose

a purple flower to stick in my hair. Lastly, he asked me if I could draw on the face with a

sharpie marker.
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 43

Analysis

I think BM’s choice to create myself for the portrait project was due to the

positive therapeutic rapport and the closeness he felt as a result of the numerous one-on-

one sessions together. He grew to be very comfortable and verbal in interactions with me,

which could demonstrate his feelings of safety within the environment and trust

established. He portrayed me in a very pleasant demeanor, which may signify that he

experienced a positive therapeutic relationship and had an overall enjoyable experience

with art therapy.

Graphomotor factors

• Sequence: BM’s approach to this project was a bit more organized. He

first gathered all the materials he would use before creating, and the first

thing he said was, “I want an orange peel face!” He then built off that,

choosing a long stem with leaves on it because “it looks like a dress!” and,

“girls wear dresses.” BM asked what we could use for the hair, so I asked

him what he thought looked like my curly hair. He pointed to the tiny

white buds on a thin stem. Lastly, he chose two thin stems for my arms

and said, “We have to make it look like you’re about to give me a hug!”

We then began gluing the pieces down. BM told me to make sure the glue

reached the bottom of the page and asked if I could draw on the face and

glue the arms to stretch outward. Once looking at it, BM asked me, “Miss

Rachel, what’s your favorite color? And do you like flowers?” I told him

my favorite color was purple. After saying this, BM took a purple flower

and said, “We’re going to add this to your hair. You like purple flowers,
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 44

right?” I said yes, and we then proceeded to add it to the piece. Once

finished, BM explained, “Look! It’s you, Miss Rachel!” He was very

happy with the outcome.

• Placement/Orientation: Much like BM’s drawings, he made this piece

centered, although it is set on the ground line. The only drawing I saw of

BM’s that was placed on the ground line was his Bunsen creation, so this

was surprising to see, especially since he directed me to make the glue

reach the bottom of the page. I think this is an indication that I was a very

present reinforcement in his life at this time.

Session 7: Recyclable Animal Friends

With this directive, I instructed the children to create an animal friend using

recyclable objects such as toilet paper rolls and construction paper, following the

“Recycle” theme of the week. Children were told they could create any animal or

creature that they wanted.

Figure 7. Squid Buddy

ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 45

Results

BM created what appeared to be a squid-like creature, using pink construction

paper to cover the toilet paper roll, brown paper for the legs, and drawing in two circles

to place the googley eyes. BM exclaimed, “This is my little pet! This is Squid Buddy!”

and was very pleased with the result.

Analysis

We see again the use of the color pink, suggesting BM really likes this color. And

his decision to draw two circles to place the googley eyes in rather than just gluing them

down by themselves I found to be interesting.

Graphomotor factors

• Sequence: Much like the robot, BM began by first bending the pink paper

to create the shape around the toilet paper roll, and then asked me to add

the glue to secure it down. It was after doing this that he decided to add

the tentacles. He asked if I could help him cut eight even slits into a brown

piece of paper. I encouraged him to do it himself, and he was very

meticulous in the way in which he cut the paper to make sure it came out

exactly how he envisioned it. He was successful in his independent

development of materials and the result was smooth, even cuts. We then

glued this brown piece to the inside of the roll, so it appeared to be

beneath the pink. Lastly, BM drew two circles for the eyes and said, “now

we add googley eyes!” Lastly, he drew the mouth. BM was very specific

in what he wanted done for this piece, but his approach was a bit freer, not

doing so much planning beforehand. He made decisions as he progressed

ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 46

along with the project. Once finished, he said his squid was “very cute”

and wished he could have a real pet that looked exactly like him.

Conclusions – Group Art Therapy Sessions

From all my sessions with BM, I found he did not work well in group settings. He

becomes easily distracted and still looks for one-on-one time with me or another adult

nearby. He requires specific attention to keep focused on the task being presented. As

mentioned earlier, I think his inability to take to group projects and working with others

is an over-stimulated environment. Many children on the autism spectrum cannot handle

lots of noises or even an array of choices if brought in front of them. This could also be as

to why many times BM feels the need to leave his seat and roam around the room on the

tips of his toes as a way to somewhat “escape” the environment. For BM’s benefit, I think

more one-on-one sessions are more beneficial for him.

Overall, group art therapy sessions with this population did prove to be very

difficult at times. Due to most of the older children (ages 8-12) struggling with anger

management issues, many kids felt the need to shut others’ ideas down or were too

impatient to wait for certain supplies or listen to their classmates talk and express

themselves. As the sessions evolved, group cohesion developed more, and the children

became increasingly compliant and understanding. Group protocols with the younger

children (ages 3-7) were much more successful. The younger children derived a high

level of enjoyment from arts and crafts and were typically engaged both in the project

and with one another. At the end of groups when the children would share with one

another, it would sometimes raise a problem or one child would not want to wait for the

other to finish speaking and everyone would grow loud, but as a whole they all did well
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 47

in this type of group setting. Those in the younger group were all typically higher

functioning, while many of the children in the older group were lower functioning

(symptoms of ASD much greater interfering with socialization/interactions more).

Although BM was 8-years-old, he was still placed in the younger group because his level

of functioning matched the littler kids better.

ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 48

VI. Conclusions

General Conclusions

Through experiences interning at Kid Esteem, working with the Autism Spectrum

community, and one-on-one with BM, I found art to be very beneficial to this population.

Symptoms of ASD range for all those who have it, so art therapy protocols should be

tailored to the client’s specific needs. For BM, art helped reduce his anxious tendencies,

as long as he was interested in the presenting project. It helped improve communication

skills, as he was able to verbalize what he created and why.

The results in group art therapy directives with BM were more varied. Due to

overstimulation, BM had difficulty concentrating, even if he was interested in the

directive. He required one-on-one attention, which was provided to him either by myself,

or his aide. BM was always encouraged to engage with his peers, which proved to be

difficult at times. However, he displayed improved communication when it came to

sharing in the groups. He was able to verbalize how he contributed, as well as listen to

others. Sometimes when sharing, he would look directly at me as if speaking to only me,

but as time went on, he would engage eye contact throughout the group with his other

peers, even if only for a short amount of time. This later translated into our individual

sessions as well, maintaining good eye contact. BM greatly struggled with eye contact in

the beginning, so this was a vast improvement for him.

Limitations of the Study

Although this research provided the opportunity to work in a school setting and

with other students, this case study was centered around one individual and his specific
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 49

needs. I did not get to work one-on-one with other children on the spectrum to see how

art therapy may be beneficial for them on a deeper level other than in group sessions.

It is very important to note that Autism Spectrum Disorder manifests itself

differently in everyone who has it. Symptoms are not always the same across the board.

Techniques and protocols that worked with BM may not work with another child; and

what works well for another child may not be beneficial for BM. I noticed frequently

throughout my internship that much of what BM enjoyed did not meet the other

children’s satisfaction needs. BM was higher on the spectrum, so when working with

him, I had to create protocols that were less developmentally challenging, whereas some

others could handle more involved activities. This is just one example of how ASD is

different for all those who have it.

Many children with ASD have sensory issues and problems with overstimulation.

Because of this, certain mediums may not work well with this population. Directives

should be tailored to meet the client’s special needs. Many of the children at this facility

would sometimes become overwhelmed if there were too many craft choices available,

while others appreciated the array of options and colors.

This study was also conducted with a child in elementary school. Results may

yield differently for an individual with autism in middle school or high school, or an adult

with autism. Different protocols would have to take place as well, as these directives

were geared toward children.

Recommendations for Future Research

For future research, this study can be conducted with several individuals with

autism to see how the art therapy correlates with the population. As mentioned earlier,
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 50

this case study focused on one specific client and his individual needs. It could also be

conducted amongst a greater age range, moving into teenage-hood to see how

development changes as a person with autism grows.

Another suggestion would be to work with this population outside of a school

setting. All protocols were conducted either in the classroom or art room. It would be

interesting to see how this could differ in a private practice or even home setting. Art

therapy interventions within this population can also differ greatly in a hospital setting or

a disabled living facility. Those under restricted confinements may not respond as well to

strict guidelines, which would call for more free art expression. It is important to let the

client feel as though they are still in control while therapeutically guiding them. An

effective protocol for individual with these needs could be wall art, hanging a large piece

of paper or canvas on a wall and allowing the children to splatter paint or color or draw

on a large surface. Directives and media will vary depending on population, setting, and

individual needs.
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 51

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ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 56

APPENDICES

Appendix A – Consent Form

ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 57

Appendix B

Table 2. Severity levels for autism spectrum disorder

Severity level Social communication Restricted, repetitive

behaviors

Level 3 Severe deficits in verbal and Inflexibility of behavior,

"Requiring very nonverbal social extreme difficulty coping with
substantial support” communication skills cause change, or other
severe impairments in restricted/repetitive behaviors
functioning, very limited markedly interfere with
initiation of social interactions, functioning in all spheres. Great
and minimal response to social distress/difficulty changing
overtures from others. For focus or action.
example, a person with few
words of intelligible speech
who rarely initiates interaction
and, when he or she does,
makes unusual approaches to
meet needs only and responds
to only very direct social
approaches.
Level 2 Marked deficits in verbal and Inflexibility of behavior,
"Requiring substantial nonverbal social difficulty coping with change, or
support” communication skills; social other restricted/repetitive
impairments apparent even behaviors appear frequently
with supports in place; limited enough to be obvious to the
initiation of social interactions; casual observer and interfere
and reduced or abnormal with functioning in a variety of
responses to social overtures contexts. Distress and/or
from others. For example, a difficulty changing focus or
person who speaks simple action.
sentences, whose interaction is
limited to narrow special
interests, and how has
markedly odd nonverbal
communication.
ART THERAPY WITH AUTISM 58

Level 1 Without supports in place, Inflexibility of behavior causes

"Requiring support” deficits in social significant interference with
communication cause functioning in one or more
noticeable impairments. contexts. Difficulty switching
Difficulty initiating social between activities. Problems of
interactions, and clear organization and planning
examples of atypical or hamper independence.
unsuccessful response to social
overtures of others. May appear
to have decreased interest in
social interactions. For
example, a person who is able
to speak in full sentences and
engages in communication but
whose to- and-fro conversation
with others fand whose
attempts to make friends are
odd and typically unsuccessful.

(Autism Speaks Inc., 2012).