Art Therapy for Those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

FAM offers In-person Art Therapy and Therapeutic Art Engagements, for individuals and for groups.

Fine Art - COLLABORATIVE MURAL PAINTING

Art Therapy has demonstrated real progress in using art to peek interest and provide a low barrier to entry in the expression of feelings, without using language. This can be especially effective helping younger children, older adults and children on the autism spectrum, who may be less capable and/or less comfortable expressing themselves with words. Art Therapy is also known to help people develop social skills, specifically, those who are withdrawn or shy, or who, for one reason or another, have a difficult time functioning within social situations. FAM offers Art Therapy with a Certified Art Therapist and Therapeutic Art Lessons with an instructor that is not Certified..

Why art? Because:

  • When verbal skills fail, researchers believe art therapy can help people express themselves. Drawings, paintings, collage, sculpture—no matter how primitive—offer a visual-art dialogue.
  • Participation in art classes stimulates the temporal lobe of the brain. Even when the parts of the brain that have to do with memory and complex tasks are ravaged, those parts of the brain involved in emotion and aesthetics remain intact much longer.
  • Studies show that by using artistic expressions, people of all ages may express their feelings through color and images.
  • Looking at paintings and sculpture activates systems that are preserved and are widely connected with other cerebral areas, globally stimulating the brain.
  • Creative expression also induces the use of motor skills as the person manipulates things with the hands.

We are gratified to have been a part of the healing journey for many, who have experienced the benefits of FAM Art Therapy programs. 

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