Part 2 book “Art as an early intervention tool for children with autism “ has contents: Why art projects are beneficial, tools of the trade, advice to help ensure a quality art experience. Invite to reference. | 4 Why Art Projects Are Beneficial The power of art for kids with autism lies in its ability to make learning both visual and appealing. The promise of fun art projects will often grab and hold the child’s interest while the adult can ensure that the projects are designed to help the child make progress in relevant treatment goal areas. I believe that there are six major goals for children on the spectrum that can be best addressed using art: 1. imagination/abstract thinking 2. sensory regulation and integration 3. emotions/self-expression 4. developmental growth 5. visual-spatial skills 6. recreation/leisure skills. All children on the spectrum will have deficits in at least one of these areas. As you read the chapter, think about which goal(s) best describe your child’s needs. I have organized the chapter by pairing goals (the deficit area or long-term goal to target) with specialied art projects designed to address the long-term goal. I only list a few of my favorite 65 Art as an early intervention tool for children with autism A visual aide created to help a child learn how to self-regulate using art. 66 Why Art Projects Are Beneficial projects; there are numerous other possibilities, and creating new projects with a specific child in mind is really the best way to work. Some of the projects I list are for school-age children and will be too difficult for children in the early intervention age range; the needs for children under the age of five will mostly cluster in the sensory regulation and integration category. However, it will be helpful to know what you are working toward and to see the big picture. Also, some goals and projects will be more appropriate than others depending on where the child falls on the spectrum (their “level of functioning”). The next chapter, Tools of the Trade, describes the art materials themselves and is the sister to this chapter. 1. Imagination/abstract thinking Goal To display age-appropriate imagination and abstract .
