Art therapy is something that many people can benefit from. This type of therapy helps you express your emotions, thoughts, and feelings using non-verbal artistic techniques. This therapy can especially help children with autism. Of course, not all children with autism are the same as every child has unique needs and abilities and they need specialized and individualized treatment.

Art is exceedingly subjective with no restrictions and because of this, children with autism thrive while in art therapy. It gives these children a boundary-free experience and can be utilized in a specific way for that child’s needs. Art therapy gives children with autism emphasized communication through their artistic expression, and the ability to see perspectives outside of their own. It also allows significant sensory and emotional management which is shown to have a positive influence on their behavior. Many children with autism have sensory issues such as not liking certain textures, smells, or sounds that can make everyday life difficult for them and stunt progress.

With art therapy, they are exposed to displeasing stimuli to get them desensitized to these textures, smells, and sounds. Different types of textures are used such as construction paper, thick paper, flimsy paper, etc. Some smells that are present are the smell of paint, crayons, paper, and playdough. The sounds they will be exposed to are the ripping of paper, the moving of paint, crayons being used on different textures, and the opening and closing of markers. All in all, art therapy can be extremely beneficial to children with autism and helps them thrive in their everyday environment.