Art Therapy By Amy Regan B00234296 Does Art Therapy promote benefits to pupils education?

Aim What is Art Therapy? Why it is used? Benefits of Art Therapy Benefits of Art Therapy in the classroom Project Ability Conclusion

Art Therapy Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy involving the encouragement of free self- expression through painting, drawing or modelling, used as a remedial or diagnostic activity (BAAT, 2017). Art therapist work with children, young people, adults and the elderly all of which have a wide range of difficulties, diagnoses or disabilities. Art therapy has been deeply researched by many individuals and it is thought to been inspired by theories such as attachment-based psychotherapy which has allowed them to adapt various approaches for clients. Art Therapy explores the links between neuro-science and art therapy. Art therapy, like most things, has evolved to reflect the cultural and social diversity of those who engage with it.

Why Art Therapy? The creative process of expressing one’s self artistically is thought to help resolve issues as well as develop and manage their behaviours and feelings, reduce stress and and improve self-esteem and awareness. (BAAT, 2017). Art Therapy involves the creation of art in order to increase awareness of self and others. Which can help to promote personal development, increase coping skills and enhance cognitive function. Art therapy can achieve different things for different people. It can be used for many purposes which can help pupils to overcome and manage certain things. Flowers (2011) states that all children benefit from art but children with autism and aspergers in particular. Flowers (2011) describes art as a giving children a feeling, an aura, which creates pleasant memories. “Art is and expression of self. A state of mind. An act not always recorded . There should be no failure in art, only the release of creativity”. (Flowers, 2011)

Benefits of Art Therapy Art Therapy for children can provide children with an easier way to express themselves as children are naturally more artistic and creative. A child is likely to be more comfortable expressing themselves using paint and pens rather than expressing emotions using words. Art Therapy for pupils who have struggle to communicate can be a great form of communication and allow children to fully explain themselves. Art Therapy can help bring suppressed emotion to the surface which allows them to deal with them and will not affect them in the future. Art Therapy benefits a range of children, from children with mental health problems, learning disabilities, children suffering grief and loss. It can also help aid cognitive abilities. (Flowers, 2011)

Art Therapy Within the Classroom Art therapy is capable of helping a child increase their attention-span while helping to decrease any festering frustrations. It allows pupils to communicate and express themselves. Ability to help children work through difficult experiences and challenges. It can increase a child's awareness. It can promote problem-solving skills. A child who receives art therapy is encouraged to develop interpersonal skills. Therapy empowers and gives pupils a voice. Ability to facilitate positive perspectives on ones life. Allows children to both communicate verbally and non-verbally

Art Therapy Within the Classroom Flowers, 2011 study showed that art therapy has been successful in helping children to learn. The study showed children learned to communicate effectively, they also had improved concentration, improved behaviours and deeper closer relationships. It also showed improved mood within the classroom and a decrease in disruptive behaviours and attitudes.

Project Ability Janetka Plantun in 2005 created the Project Ability. It was funded to work with three autistic units in Glasgow schools. Flowers and Plantun both believe there should be no failure in art. Plantun states “get away from making art that feels like a task that is done either correctly or incorrectly” Plantun also states that art creates self expression, which allows children who have difficulties such as autism and asperger’s who may not be able to express them self verbally to express themselves and communicate through their art work. Art therapy can be used as a form of communication and to help make sense of the world (Fullarton, 2010).

Project Ability Situated within Trongate A visual arts organisation for people with diasbilities and mental health issues. It consists of three workshop and exhibition space: -Aspire -Create -Connect It was set up to allow people to express themselves and achieve their artistic excellence.

Aspire Aspire is project ability’s visual arts workshop programme for adults with learning disabilites. It provides weekly art classes and specialist programme of workshop in subjects like woodcarving, ceramics, stained glass, film making, animation, life drawing, digital arts, print making and other art forms.

Create Create is projects ability program that engages with children and young people with disabilities by using a wide range of creative activities including visual arts, films and new media. The programme is delivered by professionals artists who are highly experienced in working with young people.

Connect Projects Ability connect programme is designed to provide a safe, creative environment for people with mental health issues. People are given the chance to work in a professional art space to develop their artistic ability. “creative activity can challenge us to learn new things, improve our motivation and promote positive thinking”

Conclusion In conclusion it is evident that Art therapy certainly does has many benefits to pupils within a classroom. It promotes learning by allowing children to deal with any issues that many hinder their performance within the classroom. The Arts give several opportunities for children to fully be successful in accessing the curriculum.

References Debi Brown (2010) Are you eating an orange? And other stories from the Autistic Spectrum. Aspiedebi publications. United Kingdom. Flowers, T. (2011) Reaching the Child with Autism through Art. La Vergne: TN USA. Platun, J. (2007) Spectrum, A landscape of Autism, Aspergers and Children's Art. A Shoal of Mackerel engaged. Project Ability Ltd. Vincent,M. Et al (2010) Myscape, a Journey into the autistic architectural landscape. Project ability and Collins Gallery, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. Wing, L. (1996) The Autistic Spectrum: a guide for parents and professionals. London: Constable. www.project-ability.co.uk