The Benefit of Creative Arts-Based Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Authors

Marissa Patrick, University of St. Augustine for Health SciencesFollow
Zeida Gutierrez, University of St. Augustine for Health ScienceFollow

Files

Description

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that significantly affects emotional regulation, social communication, and executive functioning. Addressing emotional regulation in children with ASD is essential for enhancing mental health, quality of life, and functional independence in occupations such as social participation. Despite evidence supporting the use of creative arts-based interventions to improve mental health, limited research exists on their specific application for emotional regulation in this population.

This project aimed to implement and evaluate a creative arts-based intervention program designed to improve emotional regulation skills in children with ASD within occupational therapy (OT) practice. Conducted over five weeks at Awetism Wonderland, the program included a series of art-focused activities, such as emotional regulation dance, Play-Doh self-portraits, and watercolor painting exercises. The interventions were designed to support interoception, creativity, and performance skills while being easily modifiable to individual needs. The Emotional Regulation Checklist (ERC) and clinical observation field notes were used to assess pre- and post-intervention outcomes, focusing on changes in emotional regulation behaviors.

Publication Date

12-2024

Publisher

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

Keywords

Autism, Emotional regulation, Occupational therapy, Creative art

Medical Subject Headings

Child, Occupational therapy, Autism spectrum disorder, Social participation, Emotional regulation, Functional status, Interoception, Quality of life, Checklist, Dancing, Mental health, Communication, Occupations

Disciplines

Art Therapy | Development Studies | Occupational Therapy | Other Mental and Social Health

Comments

This poster was presented at the OTD Capstone Symposium at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in December 2024.

Recommended Citation

Patrick, M., & Gutierrez, Z. (2024, December 1). The Benefit of Creative Arts-Based Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Poster presented at the Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium, University of St Augustine for Health Sciences. Retrieved from https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2024/40