Study launched exploring the experiences of autistic children with art therapy

April is World Autism Acceptance Month, which aims to raise awareness of the barriers and discrimination faced by autistic people across society and offer support to them and their families.

Charlotte Clough, who is in the fourth-year of a Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care at the University, is looking to recruit 10 autistic children aged between six to 16-years-old who have experienced at least six sessions of art therapy. She is reaching out to educators, art therapists, trainee art therapists and parents of autistic children who can identify potential participants that would like to take part in the project.

Charlotte is an experienced HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) registered art psychotherapist working with autistic children within art therapy.

Results from the study will help to make improvements in art therapy by helping art therapists better meet the needs of autistic children. Participants will also help autistic children be heard about what they feel and think about art therapy.

She said: “My interest in the topic of the lived experiences of autistic children undertaking art therapy particularly through the effectiveness of the artwork has developed through my own lived experiences. These experiences have highlighted that the artwork can act as a lens to see what is going on in their inner world through using art to express how they are feeling.”

Participants in the research would involve a 30-45 minutes or shorter, semi-structured interview, undertaken online or in person, where the young person can talk about their experiences of art therapy at a time of their choosing with their assent and the consent of their parents/care givers. Parents or caregivers will be alongside the young person during the interview process. All reasonable adjustments will be made to support the interview process for potential participants.

She added: “I will ask the young person 10 questions, and they are invited to talk about any artwork they may want to share during the interview process. I am interested in the autistic child’s experiences of art therapy and how they feel about it because it is important to hear their voice and help benefit future art therapy practice to meet this population’s needs.”

Potential participants will receive a full information sheet before taking part along with an audio presentation from Charlotte to explain the process to the participant and their family.

Dr Hazel Chapman, Programme Lead for the Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care at the University of Chester, said: “Charlotte is well experienced in this field and this will form the basis of a fascinating piece of research. The University has a long-standing history of supporting students in their Learning Disability Nursing and Art Therapy studies and we are pleased to see them making such a difference in this field.”

Interested participants or their families can email 0516282@chester.ac.uk for more information.