8 art ideas for kids with special needs from an art therapist

This guest post is from Diane Quiroga, a wonderful person who used to be a teacher's aide at Max's old school. I always thought she was super-sweet, and she adored Max. We lost touch. Then she happened to find this blog and emailed me; in the last few years, she'd gotten her degree in art therapy. She is now a certified art therapist, mental health consultant, and child counselor. Diane's come over to the house to do art therapy, and both kids have loved it. I've picked up great tips from her. So will you!

When I tell people that I'm an art therapist, I usually get one response: "Art therapy? What's THAT?" It's actually my favorite reaction, because I get to talk about what I love doing! So I was more than thrilled to spread my love of art therapy and share tips with all of you. (Thanks, Ellen!)

Art therapy is a psychotherapeutic service and form of expressive therapy that gives kids the chance to participate in creative, nonverbal expression through the use of art materials. In other words, art therapy communicates when words simply cannot.

This is by an 8-year-old boy with ADHD and autism. He really enjoyed the sensory stimulation from various materials, especially the "hair" picked up at a dollar store.

Art therapists are professionals trained in both art and therapy. Art therapy can benefit anyone at any age. It supports and encourages children to express feelings, enhances social skills and cognitive functioning, resolves frustrations, fosters coping skills, and increases the use of sensorimotor skills including hand-eye coordination and sensory stimulation.

A 4-year-old with Downs syndrome who is working hard on fine-motor skills made this

Remember that feeling of pride you got when you saw your artwork hanging in the school hallway or on your fridge? When kids are given the opportunity to express themselves, they achieve a true sense of self and identity. They are able to evaluate choices, establish preferences and have a sense of accomplishment. These feelings strenghten their egos! It helps them become who they are! It gives them the confidence to continue to explore!

A 6-year-old boy with global developmental delays created this. He was able to discuss his favorite color being blue!

As the parents, therapists and teachers of kids with special needs, we are more than well-versed when it comes to thinking outside of the box. Through my years of experience, I've had to evoke all types of creativity when it comes to adjusting and adapting art-making and material. The following troubleshooting tips I've discovered will hopefully offer you as much success as they've offered me. My motto: Do whatever works!

The challenge: Getting my child to start making art

The solution: Art making should be a pleasant experience, so I make sure to start with a fun activity that can be completed easily. Scribbling is the best way for a child to practice fine motor and pre-literacy skills, as well as art making. Creating an art "starter sheet" for your child will decrease the anxiety and intimidation they may feel when faced with a blank sheet of paper. A "starter sheet" is essentially a piece of paper that you start by placing magazine cut-outs or drawn items for your child to complete on their own. Their inspiration and fun can begin quickly and without apprehension!

Completed art starter sheet

The challenge: Getting kids to stay on the paper

The solution: Using a tray with a lip can create a boundary and automatically make it easier for kids to control materials inside the space. You might already have an item in your house that can service this purpose, such as a cookie sheet or even the top of a gift box. Lining paper on a tray, sheet or box will keep your child working inside the boundaries of the object and help them become more aware of the paper limits.

Tray reading for art-making!

The challenge: Getting kids to stay inside the lines

The solution: There are several tricks you can use to create boundaries, including lining the borders of your paper with Wikki Stix or Bendaroos (brightly-colored, non-toxic wax sticks that can be sculpted and adhered to basically anything). These waxy wonders will create a small barrier to prevent your child from veering off of the paper. If your child gets too distracted by the bright sticks, squeeze thin lines of Elmer's glue all around the edges and let dry to create a clear, invisible boundary. Don't have time for glue to dry? Use colorful masking tape around the edges instead!

Paper bordered by Wikki Stix

Glue-bordered paper

Colored masking tape border

The challenge: Getting kids to look at their work

The solution: Use a large piece of foil or sand paper as the art surface. Kids can paint, draw with crayons, or collage on these surfaces for a little extra sensory input when making art. More options include using a stand-up table mirror, table easel, or an actual window in your home. Window crayons, window chalk, or window markers can be used on these surfaces and your child will love drawing on their own reflection or on outside scenery.

Art with pre-cut magazine photos and torn tissue, on foil

Stand-up table mirror and window chalk

Sand paper and loofah

Window markers on window

The challenge: Getting kids to touch sticky stuff

The solution: Contact paper or Saran Wrap. These are great transition materials and your child can try to place pieces of tissue paper or magazine pictures onto these different textures. Getting their fingers to occasionally tap down on these paper substitutes will help ease them into the feel and texture of sticky substances. Helping them peel foam stickers to decorate an art piece can also expose them to "the sticky" while maintaining the fun!

Large foam stickers with peel-off back

The challenge: Getting kids to touch squishy stuff

The solution: For getting kids more comfortable with paint, try helping them get used to touching the squishy texture while keeping their hands clean. First, squeeze paint onto a large surface of Saran Wrap, then top with another layer of Saran Wrap. Now your child can use their hands on the paint texture without getting dirty! Still experiencing some tactile defensiveness? Try using a brush or stamps on the Saran Wrap surface for beginners. Kids might eventually take to rollers, which offer movement, sensory stimulation and fun. Below are paint and clay rollers from Sax School Specialty. The shapes and stripes roller in the first photo up above are from Discount School Supply; Lakeshore Learning makes great ones, too. You can also line a tray or framed mirror with Saran Wrap, as seen in this picture, for both easy cleanup and a boundary.

Mirror lined with Saran Wrap, paint, and topped with more Saran Wrap

The challenge: Getting my child to complete an art activity

The solution: Depending on attention span, I alternate the art activity with a sensory activity such as sand tray play or squeezing some Model Magic. Some kids simly can't sit, so my focus becomes increasing their attention span through a non-conventional mode of art making. In those cases, I might tape a large mural paper on a wall outside or use gravel on the ground as a surface. You can also tape a large piece of paper underneath a table while the child lies on a mat or foam wedge as they paint—like the next Michelangelo!

Large paper fish on gravel with markers

Large paper butterfly taped on outside wall, with liquid watercolor in spray bottle

The challenge: Introducing my child to art images

The solution: Exposing your child to other art is a great first step to creating and developing new visual imagery in the brain. Laminated museum art cards are perfect to introducing kids to new colors and images. Children also love the Touch The Art Series by Julie Appel and Amy Guglielmo, board books that incorporate famous works of art into a story. Every picture has texture touch spaces to make each page interactive and fun!

Touch The Art series board books and museum cards

Many of the materials here can be purchased through Discount School Supply, Sax Art Supply, Triarco Arts & Crafts, Lakeshore Learning and your local A.C. Moore and Michael's store.

If you want to seek out an art therapist, visit the American Art Therapy Association website and check the Art Therapy Locator, which lists art therapists by state. Make sure your art therapist has received the proper training, and beware of imposters!

Hopefully, I've taught you a bit about the field of art therapy, given you some useful tips, and sparked your interest in this effective therapeutic intervention. Looking for more info? Please visit my site to find out about events, Facebook groups and links.

—Diane Quiroga, MA, ATR-BC