adapted art data
High-quality art education empowers students to develop creative expression and find their visual voice, it has the potential to be transformational in student’s lives.
we see kids,not labels.
Visual arts provide unique opportunities to convey sophisticated ideas, develop creative expression, experience validation of their work, and help students find their own unique creative voices. (Malley & Silverstein, 2014)
Students with disabilities are challenged to excel in the visual arts classes by maintaining high expectations and using Core Visual Arts Standards that help them prepare for successful post-secondary school education, careers, and lives in the community. (Thurlow, 2012)
Educators working with special needs students attest to the transformational power of arts education in their students’ lives. (Malley & Silverstein, 2014)
Art education has a positive impact on the academic and social/emotional growth of students with disabilities. (Malley & Silverstein, 2014)
Artistic literacy is “a human right and a teachable skill. It is the ability to connect both personally and meaningfully to works of art and, through this process, to forge connections to our humanity and the humanity of others.”
The Artistic Literacy Institute
In the creation of the arts, ‘the goal is to have students ‘express their needs, desires, questions, and comments about their lives and their world.’ (Kleinert, et al., 2013)
Art teachers must provide the appropriate accommodations, rather than lower expectations, weaken the curriculum, or change the visual arts standard. (Thurlow & Quenemoen, 2011; Thurlow, 2011)
Art, Adapted., works to fight the perception that students with special needs can’t be creative or expressive with their art.
inclusion.
Art, Adapted. works to debunk the perception that visual arts standards-based curriculum will be too difficult for your students with special needs.
With adapted curriculum and the right supports, students with special needs can participate successfully alongside their gen-ed classmates.
the why.
WHY should you incorporate Adapted Art projects and procedures with your students on the autism spectrum?
Students with special needs will benefit greatly from participating in a Gen-ED art class and from learning with their peers.
Gen-ED art students will gain so much from the friendships they develop with special students.
Some BE students are on the Autism Spectrum and have difficulty with transitions. Removing BE students results in more behavioral issues. The disruption of the schedule for a student on the spectrum may cause serious behaviors.
expression.
Art, Adapted. works to collaborate with therapists (OT, PT, SLP) to create a safe, inclusive, and creative art environment for students with special needs.
Communication is a ‘foundational priority’ for education. Regardless of the severity of disability, most students have the means to communicate.
The visual arts teacher should have supports in place to help with communication and collaborate with the Speech and Language Pathologist to help facilitate the process. The goal is to have students ‘express their needs, desires, questions, and comments about their lives and their world.’ (Kleinert, et al., 2013)
