The Use Of The Creative Therapies With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) demonstrate an array of deficits and excesses that require educational intervention. The editor of this book, Doctor Stephanie L. Brooke, examines the treatment issues relating to the developmental disorders attributed to Autism, specifically her extensive writings on Video Modeling. It has been proven that Video Modeling decreases certain problem behaviors including aggression, tantrums, and other off-task activities, and Doctor Brooke offers a theoretical and practical account of how to apply this procedure. Other chapters in this collection are written by renowned, well-credentialed, and professional creative art therapists in the areas of art, play, music, dance/movement, and drama. The book focuses on the use of the creative therapies with autistic children and their families, including: (1) art therapy and adolescents with AspergerOCOs Syndrome; (2) art therapy groups for mothers of children diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder; (3) art therapy with a nonverbal adolescent male living with Down Syndrome and autistic behavior; (4) art therapy and storybook formats to help individuals grieve; (5) creating a safe space for adolescents with autism; (6) play therapy in the treatment of children; (7) developing music therapy goals, objectives, and the structuring of music therapy sessions; (8) melody versus rhythm and their roles; (9) sound relationships in music therapy within a preschool setting; (10) dance/movement therapy; (11) enhancing social and relationship skills; and (12) the theoretical reasons and practical applications of drama therapy. Several case studies are included, outlining an individual, group, and family treatment format. This book is designed for professional creative therapists, educators, counselors, school psychologists, and many others within the helping profession."

Recent research has shown that art therapy can be particularly effective for children with autism and related communication disorders. The extensive range of symptoms experienced by autistic people makes them extremely individual in presentation, so any treatment used must be tailored to a range of varying needs. Art Therapy with Children on the Autistic Spectrum presents a new model of practice, which primarily focuses on communication difficulties. The authors describe how negative behaviours and subsequent tension may be alleviated when the autistic child is involved in interactive art making with the therapist. The book is divided into three parts: the first part explores art making processes and art work, with an emphasis on how art can be specifically communicative. A history of autism is presented within the therapeutic context. The second part challenges existing methods of practice within art therapy and considers the most appropriate approaches to treating autistic children. The last part discusses research that lead to the formulation of this specific model - methodology and assessment interventions are analysed, as well as the ongoing development of appropriate assessment instruments. Case studies of art therapy with individual autistic children demonstrate the use of the model and the outcomes. Throughout the book, it is emphasised how art therapy works as an integral part of overall management and treatment approaches to autism. It will be of particular interest to all those professionals working with autistic children and specialists in other communication disorders.

There is a distinct lack of art therapy literature on working with adults with autism spectrum disorders, and this book combats this dearth by looking at the theory and practice of working with this client group. With clinical case examples throughout, it provides ideas for practice and interventions for use in institutional and community settings. There is a useful focus on directives to help with specific concerns, for example college and job readiness, social skills, and adapting to independent living. The book also includes information on ASD itself and gives advice on developmental and neurological considerations to take into account when working with this client group.

This volume presents cutting-edge research and practice on Creative Arts Therapies or Arts Therapies for individuals on the autism spectrum of all ages, outlining the development of effective and accessible approaches to support the diverse needs of this client group. Consisting of 14 research-based chapters with contributions from over 30 authors from across the world, the book brings together research from art, music, drama, dance, movement and other forms of art therapies. The book demonstrates how arts therapies have evolved over the years to address the health and social care needs of people on the autism spectrum and their caregivers. Chapters explore the implications of arts therapies across a spectrum of needs in various settings and offer a comprehensive picture including a variety of research outcomes and therapeutic processes, and critiques both of existing practice and research methodologies. The book will be key reading for researchers, scholars and clinicians from dance movement therapy, music therapy, art therapy, dramatherapy and expressive arts therapies. It will also be of interest to post-graduate students and mental health professionals working with children, adults and families of individuals on the autism spectrum.

Over thirty years ago, Janet Tubbs began using art, music, and movement to reach children with low self-esteem and behavioral problems. Believing that unconventional children required unconventional therapies, she then applied her program to children with autism, ADD/ADHD, and Asperger's syndrome. Her innovative methods not only worked, but actually defied the experts. In this book, Tubbs has put together a powerful tool to help parents, therapists, and teachers work with their children. Part One of Creative Therapy begins with the author's approach to balancing a child's body, mind, and spirit through proven techniques. Part Two provides a wide variety of exercises and activities that are designed to reduce hyperactivity, increase focus, decrease anger, develop fine motor skills, or improve social and verbal skills while helping children relate to their environment without fear or discomfort.

The use of music therapy is long established with people with Autistic Spectrum Conditions. The combination of using music and relationship work in person-centred approaches supports the three main areas of difficulty people with autism often experience; social interaction, communication and imagination. Current research supports the positive psychological benefits of music therapy when people with autism spectrum conditions engage with music therapy. This book celebrates the richness of music therapy approaches and brings together the voices of practitioners in the UK. With a strong focus on practice-based evidence it showcases clinicians, researchers and educators working in a variety of settings across the lifespan.

Using extensive examples from practice with a range of client groups, Dramatherapy and Autism confronts the assumption that people with autism are not able to function within the metaphorical realms of the imagination and creativity. It demonstrates that not only are people who function along the spectrum capable of engaging in creative exploration, but that through encountering these processes in the clinical context of dramatherapy, changes can be made that are life enhancing. Bringing in cutting-edge research and practice on dramatherapy, Dramatherapy and Autism aims to contribute to developing the theory and practice of creative arts therapies interventions with clients with autism. The book is part of the Dramatherapy: approaches, relationships, critical ideas series, in which leading practitioners and researchers in the field develop the knowledge base of this unique discipline, whilst contextualising and acknowledging its relationship with other arts and therapeutic practices. Dramatherapy and Autism will be of interest to a broad spectrum of readers, such as dramatherapists in practice and training, arts practitioners and academic researchers engaged in multidisciplinary enquiry.