Bridging the Gap: The Role of the 'ART'UISM Program' in Enhancing Cognitive Abilities and Community Acceptance for Children with Autism

Authors

  • Muhamad Hafiz Hassan College of Creative Arts, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
  • Rainal Hidayat Wardi College of Creative Arts, Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam, 40450, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Mohamad Hariri Hj Abdullah ollege of Creative Arts, Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam, 40450, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Badrul Isa Faculty of Education, Universiti Teknologi MARA Puncak Alam, 42300, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Valerie Michael College of Creative Arts, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia

Keywords:

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Community Program, Learning Skill and Community Acceptance, Program Impact

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the 'ART'UISM: In the course of my 'Artistic -Intuition- Autism Program’, impairing creative expression and cognitive development in children with autism. This program has been designed to promote art as an activity and further raise the handicapped kids' psychomotor and cognitive skills. Pre and post-survey questionnaires were given to parents/family members to measure the success of our program. The study group of children includes 18 who suffer from Autism. We have concluded that there are important repercussions in terms of color identification, shape recognition, attention, task completion, acquisition and learning of new activities, self-confidence, and emotional regulation. The environment created by the program allowed each trainee to feel safe and respected, encouraging their creative part. Make a prediction, using the atmospheric conditions you have encountered or observed. Then, write a measurement plan to predict and describe the rate of wind speed change over time in that area. Based on the results mentioned above, one can see that art therapy can bring the possibilities of the multifaceted development of children diagnosed with autism and may affect society’s outlook.

Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Community Program, Learning Skill and Community Acceptance, Program Impact 

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

Chu, V., Lim, C., Park, J., Yu, J., Garcia-Barrera, M., & Moore, D. (2021). Trends in art therapy for autism spectrum disorder: A systematic qualitative review. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 618917. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.618917

Drake, J. E. (2018). Instructional strategies for developing visual literacy skills and promoting creative thinking with young children. Art Education, 71(2), 26-35. https://doi.org/10.1080/00043125.2018.1436329

Emery, M. J. (2004). Art therapy as an intervention for autism. Art Therapy, 21(3), 143-147. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2004.10129496

Epp, K. (2008). Outcome-based evaluation of a social skills program using art therapy and group therapy for children on the autistic spectrum. Children & Schools, 30(1), 27-36. https://doi.org/10.1093/cs/30.1.27

Humphrey, N., & Lewis, S. (2008). 'Make me normal': The views and experiences of pupils on the autistic spectrum in mainstream secondary schools. Autism, 12(1), 23-46. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361307085267

Martin, N. (2009). Art therapy and autism: Overview and recommendations. Art Therapy, 26(4), 187-190. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2009.10129616

Safar, A. H., & Siraj, S. (2020). Art-based intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(8), 2671-2686. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04399-5

Symes, W., & Humphrey, N. (2011). The deployment, formation and integration of teacher assistants in schools. Educational Review, 63(3), 299-315. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2011.560248

Published

2025-05-26