Therapeutic Art and Learning Disabilities - Activities
Advice for carers - Supporting Creative Expression
As a guardian or carer of someone with additional needs or a learning disability, you might be looking for ways to help them express themselves and explore different, enriching activities.
Encouraging creativity and making art to enjoy the process, rather than worrying about how it looks, can have many benefits for people with or without learning disabilities; Such as…
Improved communication skills
Improved fine motor skills
Increased self-esteem
More practice making choices
Build Confidence
Doing activities with others can also strengthen relationships and help build connections with others.
As an Art Therapist, I've had the chance to work with individuals who have learning disabilities in a variety of settings. Here are some fun and simple activities you can try that might help support creative expression in the people you care for! (I also include some possible questions to ask yourselves after the activity.)
Expressive Art Activities:
Torn Paper Collages – Use magazines, colourful papers, or tissue paper for this activity. Encourage the exploring and picking out pieces of paper that catch their interest. Once the pieces are torn, they can be arranged to create a fun abstract collage. Experiment with how the pieces are placed. Let the artist have the freedom to choose where to put things. You could also choose a theme before starting to tear the paper, which can help address certain feelings or challenges. For example, if someone is feeling restless or frustrated, focusing on those emotions can turn the activity into a way to release those feelings by tearing the paper and making something new from them. What was that like?
Wall Art – Taping large pieces of paper to walls can create an exciting and new creative experience. It can also create a surface that is easier for people with some physical or movement difficulties to use. Provide pens, crayons or appropriate brushes and paint and invite everyone to make ‘scribble’ or ‘doodle’ style drawings. What was your favourite was to move while drawing?
Bubble Wrap painting – Painting onto bubble wrap can provide a unique sensory experience. The painted surface can then be used to press paper onto and create bubble wrap prints. Experiment with overlapping prints, changing colours or painting designs/shapes onto the bubble wrap. What did that feel like? What else could we try to make different patterns?
Printing Exploration - printing can be an accessible and less daunting way to engage with painting and creating. Picking everyday objects from around the house to use for printing can also be an enjoyable activity to do together. Good options include cardboard tubes, lemons or oranges cut in half, and the bottoms of plastic bottles. Just pour some paint into a tray or container, dip the object into the paint, and then press it onto paper or a canvas. You'll be surprised at what shows up! Does it look like what you thought it would? What other things would you like to try printing with?
Top Tips:
Getting involved and modelling the activities yourself can help you to explain the process and make the people you support feel more comfortable.
When choosing activities and art materials, it is always important to remember safety. This includes the weight and stability of the tools and physical environment of the space. Consider the person you support and how these factors may need to be adapted and considered to ensure safety.
Safety/accessibility adaptations may include things like, large and long handled brushes, chunky crayons/pencils, glue sticks and taping the paper/canvas to a stable surface before use.
Most importantly, Art making should focus on independence, enabling people to feel a sense of personal achievement and involvement.
Setting up activities so that only the bare minimum assistance is required while creating, allows individuals to feel empowered.
“Hand over hand" techniques can aid individuals with severe physical limitations, but it's crucial to ensure they have choice and are actively engaged in as much of the experience as possible.
Final Note:
Art therapy is a type of psychotherapy that uses art to help people explore their emotions and inner experiences.
These activities are not a replacement for this type of psychological help, but can support the enrichment and quality of everyday life for people with learning disabilities, as-well as those who are supporting them.
Enjoy the process!
Georgina
Art Psychotherapist
