This pilot study included a content analysis of the Wall of Remembrance (also known as the Childrens Tile Wall) on display at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) in Washington, D.C. This artwork is composed of 3,324 six-inch square tiles depicting the impressions of children, adolescents and a few adults regarding the Holocaust.…

The paper discusses the six major ego functions, ego disturbances in mentally retarded children, and case examples of the use of art therapy to promote ego development. Identified are the following ego functions: control and regulation of instinctual drives, autonomous functions, reality testing, object relationships, defense, and synthesis. The…

The Family Drawing Depression Scale (FDDS) was created by Wright and McIntyre to provide a clear and reliable scoring method for the Kinetic Family Drawing as a procedure for detecting depression. A study was conducted to confirm the value of the FDDS as a systematic tool for interpreting family drawings with populations of depressed individuals.…

An art therapist working with disturbed adolescents discusses approaches toward dealing with their resistance to treatment. She explains that the method which seems most successful is one that accepts resistance as developmentally appropriate and she suggests that the resistance should be joined rather than interpreted as such. Other suggestions…

The connections between art therapy and the teaching of writing are many. The process of art therapy is essentially art making followed by talk--a process that parallels the process of writing and reflecting about writing that is encouraged in writing classrooms. It is a process aimed at self discovery and consciousness, whether in a writing…

Although many clinicians use drawing tasks to assess children who have been exposed to family violence, few professionals are aware of current research in this area. Professionals should be apprised of the graphic indicators of child abuse in drawings, reliable art-based assessment tools, and legal and ethical principles surrounding the use of…

Research has shown that too little stress or stimulation can increase health risks. To determine the effectiveness of mild stimulation on the depression levels and feelings of self-worth of the elderly, 24 withdrawn nursing home residents participated in a non-judgemental 6-month art expression group. Half the group were assigned to a control…

An art therapist describes her work with sixty residents (6-35 years old) in a treatment center for mentally handicapped and emotionally disturbed persons. The author discusses definitions, translations, and therapeutic approaches of art therapy. Goals are listed for each approach, and the planning of art activities to meet these goals is…

This paper discusses job opportunities for women art educators interested in working with exceptional children. Within the next few years there will be a significant increase in the demand for art teachers trained in the uses of art with exceptional children. This is due to the increased sophistication of schools in identifying exceptional…

This paper reports on the introduction of an exploratory program on emotional development, "Drawing Emotions," through which instructors try to: (1) help the child learn how to deal with feelings; (2) ascertain relational difficulties; (3) apprehend their own questions which were not answered; and (4) interfere in the presence of risks…

Expressive therapists (in art, music, and dance) possess the techniques necessary for working with older adults who need assistance in making productive use of their leisure time. Therapeutic expressive activities for long-term care residents promote creativity, self-expression, communication, and understanding of oneself. The purpose of the…

This document describes a program designed for women and children living in homeless shelters to offer them creative, interactive experiences. The activities served to provide personal contact with the children and to read with them; help the families participate in creative expressions of self; and provide visits with the larger community. These…

This paper describes two personal development groups for procrastinators, the "Unblocking" group and "The Manana Syndrome." Theoretical background for the groups is presented based on behavioral techniques adapted from Lakein's work on time management and Ellis' work on cognitive therapy. Differences between the two groups are…

Examines the effects of wartime trauma on the artistic expression of 35 Bosnian and Croatian children, ages 4-12. Discusses their cognitive development in terms of the Intuitive-Symbolic and Concrete-Operative levels. Includes four examples of representative paintings. (MJP)

Helping young children to cope with stress plays a vital role in today's classroom. It is normal for children to experience stress, which comes from pressures such as family, friends, and school. Some of the indicators of stress in young children are behavioral changes (e.g., mood swings, changes in sleep patterns, and incontinence) and physical…