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| Id: | 64 |
| Author: | Barbara Kariz |
| Title: | Art Therapy interventions for children with ADHD |
| Award: | MA, specialization |
| Discipline: | Art Therapy |
| Keyword: | art therapy, group, interaction, ADHD |
| University_College: | University of LjubljanaFaculty of Education |
| Country: | Slovenia |
| Year: | 2006 |
| Language: | Slovenian |
| Abstract: | Art therapy is based on the belief that the creative process involved in the making of art is healing and life-enhancing. The aim of using art therapy with children with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the understanding and acceptance of the children’ condition, continuous support and encouragement, finding the opportunities for creative expression and self-confirmation as well as teaching children the strategies to cope with everyday demands. The research addresses the cognitive, emotional and social behavioural components of the disorder. The MA thesis, is based on the case study of a group of children with ADHD and uses the active research model and qualitative analysis. The research includes 10 children, aged 7 to 12. They were referred to the art therapy group by the specialists working at the Counselling centre for children, adolescents and parents in Ljubljana. The referring specialists as well as children’s parents took an active part in the research. There were 30 art therapy sessions, taking place once a week for the period of 90 minutes. Prior to the first session I collected the necessary data with interviews, questionnaires and art therapy assessments. The data were used to plan and implement the individual art therapy interventions. After each session, I used the group interaction chronogram to record my observations, findings and developments in the group. The important changes and progress were assessed after each session as well as by comparing the initial and final state of the group and individual children. The research showed progress in social interaction and expression of emotions which is the result of good functioning of the group and the communication possibilities offered by the artistic media. The children made considerable progress in their creativity and general functioning but did not progress as expected in their cognitive functioning where bigger differences could be noted among individuals. |
| Email: | barbara.kariz@amis.net |
| Date: | 8/20/2007 11:37:15 AM |