Erasmus+ – Art Therapy for Autism

Special education in Romania is undergoing a time of acute change due to the increasing number of children having autistic spectrum disorders, severe intellectual deficiencies and associated deficiencies. There is a significant need for new methods, new teaching techniques, the development of professional skills of teachers working in this field, the adjustment and development of an educational design in correlation with the children’s needs.

The project “Art for autism” wants to support institutional development as stipulated by the Institutional Development Plan and by the European Development Plan by means of sharing, practicing teachers in special education through specific knowledge on the subject of autism and also learning directly from specialists working with different art forms at a special European education institution with a similar profile, live. Our aim is for the teachers working with children with severe intellectual deficiencies and autism to develop specific skills in order to work more efficiently with these children, to become more confident regarding their work and thus to increase the quality of the teachers’ methods and strategies.Art therapy is based on the recognition that the fundamental thoughts and emotions, that come from the unconscious, get expression in images rather than in words.

There is no right or wrong way to express emotions through art therapy. You do not have to excel in painting, modeling or sculpting. You just have to feel free and express yourself freely. Art therapy teaches children and the big people to express themselves, to give a free kick to creativity. Whether it`s art therapy through painting, art therapy by modeling, art therapy through gaming, art therapy through dance or theater, the child learns to become himself, to express himself freely, to become confident in his own forces, communicate and relate, in a word, to being a happy child.

Art therapy is an opportunity for everyone to express themselves spontaneously and authentically, an experience that in time leads to personal fulfillment, emotional healing and profound transformation. Art is also a major form of learning. Art can teach a multitude of abilities and acquire knowledge that can form the basis of more complex knowledge. Because it is an attractive form of teaching various educational content, art therapy can be a novel way to develop basic knowledge, skills and competencies in children with autism. Involved in activities that are based on different forms of art therapy, we will stimulate pupils`interest in teaching, prevent school abandonment and diversify the educational offer.

We expect an increase in the efficiency of the educational act through the integration of new European methods and working techniques, the integration of the acquired experience in the classroom, the usage the theoretical knowledge, the competences and the practical experience gained from both the training courses and the job shadowing.

The impact of implementing such an institutional project will be upon all teachers from our institution and from other special schools and even from the integrative mainstream schools, pupils (who will indirectly benefit from a better quality educational service), the parents of the students (who will have access to the materials produced within this project that will be free to access), and the Pascani local community who will become aware of the problems the children with autism and severe intellectual deficiencies are facing.