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Home/Just Jess/Art/Autism and Painting Therapy

Autism and Painting Therapy

Jessica’s Introduction to Painting

Jessica was introduced to painting as a hobby, something to occasionally help keep her occupied. Painting then turned into her own form of therapy when I offered to let her paint one day while she was upset.

Autism and Painting

Jess picks the colors she wants to use, then she chooses a brush from a wide assortment of types and sizes.

Autism and Painting

She decides on her subject then names each picture. Her first few included ‘Ocean with Flowers’, ‘Big Pink Flower’, and ‘Slumber Party with Chocolate Cake’.

autism and painting

autism and painting

We started with watercolors because I had the paint and watercolor paper on hand.

autism and painting

Watercolors turned out to be a challenge because the colors aren’t bright enough on the paper. She needs high contrast because of her cortical vision impairment.

autism and painting

autism and painting

After a few sessions, an adjustment was in order. She switched to acrylics, got some brushes to call her own, and a container to organize her supplies. I also added a table top easel because she can see best when things are at eye level.

autism and painting

The easel is adjustable so we tried tilting it at different levels.

autism and painting

She prefers for it to be almost vertical. The acrylics are working better because of the vivid colors and contrasts.

autism and painting

Her latest art was for Aunt Danna, so she painted with Big Orange.

autism and painting

Now, when Jess is stuck on something that is upsetting her, I can ask if she wants to paint and she answers yes. She can connect her subject matter to whatever she has on her mind and talk about it while she paints.

I now have a long-term goal to set up her own art station. Then, we can leave her supplies out and she can paint more independently and more often.

Jessica’s Paintings

Slumber Party with Chocolate Cake Painting
Slumber Party with Chocolate Cake

 

Rocket Painting
Rocket

 

Ocean with Flowers Painting
Ocean with Flowers

 

Big Pink Flower Painting
Big Pink Flower

 

Blue Painting
untitled

 

Big Flower Painting
Big Flower

 

SHORTLINK: http://wp.me/p5DUsf-1cO

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February 16, 2017 By Val 8 Comments

Filed Under: Art, Blog Post Tagged With: Anxiety, art, art therapy, Autism, Autism Awareness, Autism Spectrum Disorder, autismmom, autismparent, Blind, Caregiver, communication disorder, Cortical Blindness, Cortical Vision Impairment, Developmental Disability, Multiple Disabilities

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Judy Wester

    September 23, 2016 at 3:05 am

    I love the ” ocean with flowers” ?

    Reply
    • Val

      September 23, 2016 at 6:57 am

      Thanks Judy. It’s interesting that she has these abstract ideas. My favorite is Slumber Party with Chocolate Cake. She started off saying she wanted to paint a pink slumber party. Then, when she was finishing up with pink, she asked if I had black paint. When I said yes, she said she wanted the party to have chocolate cake.

      Funny though, when she finished she looked at it and said, “That doesn’t look like chocolate cake.” ?

      Reply
  2. georgiacajun

    September 22, 2016 at 5:26 pm

    Val, so so happy for Jess … and for Momma! Makes this heart smile! ♥

    Reply
    • Val

      September 22, 2016 at 7:18 pm

      Thanks Toni! It’s interesting to watch her. Soon, I’ll try recording it. She takes her time with it and uses her vision to look and decide where she will put her brush next.

      Reply
  3. Jayne

    September 22, 2016 at 6:37 am

    Just so, so cool that you happened upon this as a way for her to express her emotions. XO

    Reply
    • Val

      September 22, 2016 at 7:12 am

      Thanks Jayne! I had been meaning to let her try painting for a while just to see what she would do with it. Her interest level was somewhat unexpected but very welcome. The way she connects it with what’s on her mind is such a bonus!

      Reply
  4. Kaye

    September 21, 2016 at 8:12 pm

    I LOVE this! Another Picasso! It’s thrilling that she names her art, just as he did. What a wonderful outlet.

    Reply
    • Val

      September 21, 2016 at 8:22 pm

      I love that she enjoys it so much and that she puts thought into. There is planning involved because each time she has an idea of what she want to do. I just need to find the time do it with her more.

      Reply

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