I’ve been at my new job for a little under 2 months. In that period of time I have begun introducing new ways of expressing oneself using structured media and directives. Here are some examples of the successes I’ve had over such a short period of time:
I decided to introduce collage in one of the artx groups. I pre-cut words and pictures (for added structure), keeping them in separate tupperware containers for easy pull-out and put away. Immediately the clients began searching through the tupperware, finding pictures and gluing them down onto colored paper. Some clients held up words and asked me to read the word to them, or explain its meaning. For one client in particular, the use of the pre-cut words seemed especially important to her. She appeared excited and began smiling as she completed her collage, periodically holding up her paper and saying “this all makes sense!”
It occurred to me that people with developmental disabilities often have deficits in their reading and writing abilities. Many of my clients describe thinking they are stupid and wonder how they appear to others. Perhaps having pre-cut words can help to lend a voice to these people, who may have difficulty finding words to say out loud what they think or how they feel.
Several clients have begun spontaneously drawing their feelings when they’re feeling anxious and/or upset. This is surprising to me because the clients I am speaking of rarely come to the artx groups. I had no idea of the developmental level in their artwork or that they even wanted to use artwork as a form of self expression/catharsis. In fact, many times when these clients are invited to attend artx group, they refuse.
Recently, one client went into the art supply cabinet after an incident with a peer and took out some collage words, pictures, paper and markers on her own, when the artx room was unoccupied. This client then came to my office with her drawing. She seemed to use it as a way to help both her and I understand how upset she was.
I think this vignette illustrates how important it is that all clients have access to art supplies at any given moment. This story also reminds me of the natural expressive and healing quality that art making has.
nice work, and thank you blogging on this as I find this fascinating. You probably don’t freak out if someone writes something in the dust on your car, we need more people like that in this world!. :)