Accepted Articles

Abstract: Our study examines the social impact of art therapy on neurodivergent subjects. For individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), such as autism or Down syndrome, art therapy provides striking advantages correlated to traditional therapeutic models. Art therapy carries vast mediums of nonverbal communication, which, in turn, is better suited for patients who have a difficult time speaking or language development than the typical talk therapy. When put together with conventional therapy, art therapy can also promote emotional regulation. Extracting information from neuroscientific case studies and qualitative assessments, our study reveals that IDD patients improved neuroplasticity and their mental health. 

The study also confronts habitual misconceptions about the creative abilities and mindset of individuals with IDD. Patients with IDD artwork are frequently overlooked as “outsider art” or art brut due to its unconventional subject matter. Still, such criticism seems to prolong biases against IDD. After reviewing historical views of autism and outdated definitions of neurotypicality, the study advocates for a fresh evaluation of art therapy as a medium for therapeutic tools. There are two advantages when it comes to Art Therapy. For starters, it operates as a beneficial form of treatment while also promoting the value and depth of neurodiversity in society as a whole. Lastly, our study pushes for more inclusive practices and strategies in therapeutic settings while also emphasizing the need for cultural efforts to protect the rights and privileges of IDD patients.

Reference

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