Encouraging communication with deaf children through visual art activities

An educational product has been developed based on a review of the literature in the field of art therapy with a focus on how art therapy may affect the communication of deaf children. A literature review has indicated that art therapy, when conducted with hearing and deaf children, has facilitated expression and communication. This has occurred through transference of feelings from the right, visualspatial and creative hemisphere of the brain to the left hemisphere, which includes conceptual and intellectual thinking as well as the \u27language function.\u27 Based on these findings, it is projected that art therapy may alleviate some of the common communication problems that exist among deaf children, especially those who have not acquired a full language. It is also projected that it may have expressive benefits when used outside of formal therapy situations such as in an art classroom. This product discusses previous case studies and the outcome of art therapy primarily with hearing children. It then suggests adaptations that may be made for using these different therapies with deaf children. It also makes recommendations on how individuals who are not art therapists may begin using art therapy exercises