Note on language: Therapists are often taught to use “person first language” (to not put the disability before the person) BUT what is important in clinical practice is how clients themselves identify. Many individuals with autism spectrum disorder identify as Neurodivergent or Autistic—make sure to ask! For more info about this complex issue, click here.
Advocating for appreciation of neurodivergence in art therapy services
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Art therapists are uniquely able to build a relationship on a neurodivergent individual's own terms.
Art therapists can do this in many ways including working with the individuals restricted/repetitive interests (which are often not encouraged in therapeutic settings) to build the therapeutic relationship by adapting these special interests into personally meaningful metaphors and interactions. |
/Information for Art Therapists
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Art Therapy can uniquely bridge neurodivergence.
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What is Art Therapy? |
What is Neurodivergence/Neurodivergent? |
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According to the American Art Therapy Association website "Art therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship."-The AATA (arttherapy.org)
For more information on art therapy visit: https://arttherapy.org/ https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-art-therapy-helping-children-autism-express https://the-art-of-autism.com/the-value-of-art-therapy-for-those-on-the-autism-spectrum/ |
Neurodivergence, as coined by Kassiane Asasumasu, refers to "the state of being neurodivergent" (Walker, 2014). Individuals who are neurodivergent diverge from societal expectations of "normal". Individuals with innate diagnoses such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder or Epilepsy as well as individuals with brain injuries may consider themselves neurodivergent.
The intent of this website and the materials herein is to encourage practitioners to work with client strengths and to follow clients lead in session even if it does not fit within societal or traditional therapeutic norms. As the website stands right now it is largely focused on working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders but will continue to evolve. For more information on Neurodivergence visit: http://neurocosmopolitanism.com/neurodiversity-some-basic-terms-definitions/ (Walker, 2014) https://the-art-of-autism.com/neurodiverse-a-person-a-perspective-a-movement/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/my-life-aspergers/201310/what-is-neurodiversity |
Note: Accessibility is an important component of this site, the site is not yet fully accessible but it is a priority. If you have difficulty accessing any of the material you would like email [email protected]