Art therapy for special kids - so simple, yet so ignored.

1. Art therapy for special kids - so simple, yet so ignored. “Ever knew that Art as therapy dates back to the 1940s!”

2. Special kids • ‘Special kids' often relates to kids with special needs • Special needs imply that a child has a medical, psychological or mental disorder. • However, these kids are just similar to all the kids around except for that they have some disability, perhaps in the form of poor communication abilities, disruptive behaviors, sensory integration challenges or lack of focus in a kid concerning learning • For these kids and their parents that art therapy was formally introduced as a solution.  

3. Art Therapy • One of the best treatments for kids having emotional behavioral and psychological problems. • Dates back to the 19th century when French psychiatrists Ambrose Tardieu and Paul-Max Simon viewed it  as an effective diagnostic tool to identify specific types of mental illness or traumatic events. • Therapy was seen as an important form of treatment by psychiatrists in the 20th century! • Adapting to art therapy enables kids to communicate and express their ideas using art tools and supplies rather than having a verbal communication.

4. Art Therapy • Kids are encouraged to express their feelings through art and their latent creativity • Helps in building kids up in terms of cognitive growth, learning of social skills, practicing sensorimotor like the hand-eye coordination and sensory stimulation • The artwork done by the kids are of different types which include drawing, collage making, crafting, sculpture creation and much more.

5. Benefits of Art Therapy • It helps the kids to put their thoughts and ideas in a creative manner which they might have found difficult to communicate verbally. • From the counselor’s point of view, this therapy helps them understand the child better. It also helps him/her understand various areas of interest and skills of the child along with a sense of achievement. • It has helped kids with various disabilities like trauma, physical, learning or visual impairment, behavioral issues, etc. • Engaging in art therapy helps children to develop different skills like emotional skills, cognitive, motor and relational skills. It also promotes relaxation in the mind of a child as he can communicate and express his ideas that he/she couldn’t do verbally. Art therapy reduces anxiety and provides a sense of accomplishment for the kids.   • Many kids also have sensory disabilities. Art therapy is one of the best therapies for them as they can enjoy pleasurable sensory experiences through this therapy.

6. How to find a good therapist? • Find a good therapist/art class by doing a good amount of research online as well as offline. • For example, Braingroom is online marketplace for educational, recreational & wellness classes with defined target segment • BrainGroom, academies & individual tutors sell their classes in the form of individual class tickets to end users. • There are numerous other reputed “child-therapists” who have built up their websites. • You can check for their reviews given by the customers and also understand about the services mentioned on the website • Connect with people around in the society and try to find out people who have had prior experiences with the therapists

7. Final Word The kids with special needs are no less than the normal ones. All that they need is a special attention and better care than the normal kids. It is important to understand the special kids and help them at every stage of their life. This therapy is so simple yet usually so ignored due to lack of awareness and understanding. However, researches have shown it to have highly benefited the special kids who are seen to be doing well in their lives.