Hello,
According to different researchers on the subject, creativity in the
learning disabled offers a different path for learning and
communication. The client has an alternate method, beyond words
alone, through which to communicate and learn. Besides that, it adds
to the fullness of their lives.
The following article was written by researchers on gifted and
learning disabled children. It primarily seems to address specific
intellectual gifts. However, it is also referring to talents and
gifts of other kinds. The authors point out that with a special
talent a learning disabled individual can draw on these gifts and
talents to compensate. So, with support they may be able to learn to
use these other paths to overcome their academic difficulties.
Unfortunately, because they are able to draw on these other strengths,
their disability may be hidden or misdiagnosed.
Gifted Children with Learning Disabilities: A Review of the Issues
http://www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/gt_ld/jld_gtld.html
At least one of the authors is associated with
Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Children
ahttp://www.cty.jhu.edu/dcc/index.html
Apparently, therapists in Europe have been employing various creative
therapies to help individuals with learning disabilities for a long
time. Below are a couple of web pages of the Irish Association of
Creative Arts Therapists. They discuss the use of the particular
therapies and what it does for the client.
Art Therapy
http://www.iacat.ie/arttherapy.html
Drama Therapy
http://www.iacat.ie/dramatherapy.html#L
There are conferences on Art therapy research and the Associations of
Creative Art Therapists. This is the web page of conferences held in
1999 and 2001 in London. The main point of their organization is that
creativity is important in the lives of everyone, and that creativity
therapy can be helpful for the learning disabled. If you look through
different links from this site you will see that there are therapists
who are using these various art therapies.
The Creative Dimension: The Arts therapies in learning disabilities
and autism
The 2001 Conference.
http://www.creativedimension.co.uk
The 1999 Conference.
http://www.dokumenta.co.uk/sub99/tcd1999.html
The following link is to an article that details how therapists use
dance therapy. It describes the techniques and advantages.
MOVEMENT EDUCATION / THERAPY FOR CHILDREN WITH MULTIPLE LEARNING
DIFFICULTIES
http://www.minds.org.sg/papers/mms26.htm
I searched on several search engines (google, dogpile, hotbot) using
this string of words. ‘creativity learning disability therapy”
I hope this answers your question. Please let me know if there is
more information that you would like.
pba |
