Art as a Language for Autism: Building Effective Therapeutic Relationships with Children and Adolescents

Art as a Language for Autism addresses  the clinical challenges that are common in working with autistic  spectrum disorder by exploring how artistic expression can provide a  communicative language for younger clients who are set in their thought  processes and preferences.

Exploring how both art and play-based  approaches can be effective tools for engaging therapeutic work, this  book introduces strategies to help young clients find expressive  "languages" that can fully support communication, expression, and  empathic understanding, as well as build skills for relaxation, calming,  and coping. Building from a foundation of a client’s individual  strengths and interests, this playful and integrative approach is  informed by an awareness of the individual sensory profiles and the  developmental needs of children and adolescents with autism. Through a  greater awareness of these materials and processes for therapy, the  reader will be able to create a space for their young clients to share  what they know and care about.

This exciting new book is essential reading for clinicians working with children and adolescents on the autism spectrum.