Having a body mind that thinks, moves and responds in ways that are different from those that are neurotypical can be challenging. While talking therapies play a significant role in managing ADHD, art therapy offers an innovative and creative way to engage the brain, promote problem solving skills, and increase attention span.
In light of Neurodiversity Week, we interview with our Art Psychotherapist, Katya, to explore the impact and benefits of art therapy on those with ADHD.
SH: What is neurodivergence and how can art therapy help
KS: Communication and relationships are two important areas where neurodivergent people often do things differently. Thinking attention, emotion, language processing all work differently. There are significant sensory differences as well. But we're living in a world that's not typically well suited to those differences. It’s important that we can recognise and understand how it impacts or disables neurodiverse populations by living in predominantly neurotypical society, and learn how we can help them better.
SH: How does art therapy help with neurodiversity?
KS: Living in a world where your unique attributes can be described as ‘deficits’ or ‘disorders’ – this can be really distressing. Those who find words challenging, or don’t use speech to communicate, art making and images offer a non-verbal language to communicate our experiences. An image can show someone else how you see the world, and how your perspective is different from theirs.
Art therapists can validate the experiences of neurodiversity. We might not give advice on how to do things better or ‘be more ‘normal’, but art therapy can be very affirming.
Within treatment we can help facilitate communicate and explore what someone with neurodiversity find difficult and find things that could help. Often, neurodivergent clients say it’s good to be seen, listened to and challenged, without feeling ashamed of who they are.
SH: Could you explain the links between ADHD and art therapy
KS: In art therapy, someone with ADHD, in art therapy the brain is stimulated by creating art or playing with the materials. This produces high levels of dopamine. Increased dopamine levels improve concentration. Expressing creativity through art also elevates serotonin and reduces stress levels. Within ADHD, executive functioning skills can be impaired: planning and organising, multitasking, managing time, problem solving, emotional regulation, analysing and processing information, concentrating, controlling mental focus, self-motivation and inhibition.
Each time we put a brush to paper we are engaged in problem solving and decision-making. This stimulates neuro pathways and activates different parts of the brain. So when you’re expressing creativity you are promoting problem solving skills, increasing attention span and boosting your working memory.
SH: How can painting, in particular, be beneficial?
KS: Painting can activate the mid brain and limbic system where emotional regulation takes place. Paint is a fluid material that is difficult to control, just like emotions, that can be satisfying, or not, to manipulate with the brush or hands. In the process of using this material we have this external way to look at our emotions and feelings. Painting brings the ability to control gross motor skills and really help with emotional regulation.
In art therapy you’re keeping the hand and body moving, the brain engaged and triggering an acute mental and emotional focus which is not always seen in talking therapy as you are so actively engaged in the process. This especially helps with ADHD.
In summary, the insights shared by Katya illuminate the profound impact art therapy can have on neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with ADHD. Katya emphasises how art serves as more than a creative tool, but a way to regulate emotions and promote problem solving, among a variety of other skills. Art therapy offers a valuable approach that fosters emotional expression through creative means.
Коментари