The application of creative therapies has gained significant traction as a powerful tool for fostering the well-being of autistic adults. These therapies, including art therapy, poetry therapy, and other expressive modalities, offer avenues for self-expression, emotional regulation, and personal growth. Unlike traditional therapeutic approaches, creative therapies allow for non-verbal communication, making them particularly beneficial for autistic people who are non-speaking or semi-speaking, or who may have difficulty in accessing their words when emotions are heightened.
Understanding Creative Therapies
Creative therapies encompass a broad spectrum of therapeutic techniques that utilise artistic processes to promote mental health and emotional well-being. Some better-known modes include:
Art Therapy: This modality leverages the creative process of making art to explore feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, and enhance social skills. For autistic people, art therapy can serve as a bridge to communicate complex emotions that may be difficult to express verbally.
Poetry Therapy: In poetry therapy, the written and spoken word is used as a medium to explore personal narratives, emotions, and experiences. Autistic people may find that poetry provides a structured yet flexible way to express thoughts and feelings, facilitating a deeper connection with ourselves and others.
Music Therapy: Using music, rhythm and the physical act of making music allows access to deep, often early-experienced, feelings which are outside of the realm of words⏤the state Julia Kristeva calls chora (Kristeva, 1984).
The Role of Creative Therapies in for Autistic Adults
Research supports the efficacy of creative therapies in improving the mental health of autistic adults. A study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (Hwang, 2015) highlights that art therapy can significantly reduce anxiety and improve emotional resilience in autistic individuals. By engaging in creative processes, autistic people can gain a greater sense of control over our internal experiences, leading to improved self-esteem and overall well-being.
Creative therapies also allow for the exploration of the unconscious, particularly through images and image-work. This exploration is a safe and contained way of addressing the trauma that many autistic people carry, whether it be complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) from years of masking or acute traumatic experiences. Images can provide a powerful means of accessing and processing these deep-seated emotions and memories without the need for direct verbalisation. According to a study published in The Arts in Psychotherapy (Malchiodi, 2020), working with images in therapy can help individuals safely engage with and integrate traumatic memories, leading to profound emotional healing.
Neurodivergence, Creativity, and Strength
It is also important to recognise that many artists⏤whether they identify as such or not⏤are neurodivergent, and this is a strength they can leverage in their creative work. Heightened sensitivity, a trait often associated with neurodivergence, can lead to deeper emotional insight and a more nuanced understanding of the world. For autistic artists, this sensitivity can be channelled into creating powerful, evocative works of art that resonate on a profound level with others. The ability to perceive and express subtle emotional states through art is a significant asset in the creative process, and for many, it can also be a therapeutic outlet that reinforces their identity and sense of agency, and ability to process experience in a way which feels liveable.
Anti-Oppressive Therapy and Neurodiversity
Moreover, creative therapies align with the principles of anti-oppressive therapy, which emphasises the importance of acknowledging and addressing systemic barriers that marginalised individuals face. For autistic people, creative therapies provide a safe space to explore our identities and experiences without fear of judgment or stigma. This approach respects the neurodiversity movement, which advocates for the acceptance of neurological differences rather than viewing them as deficits.
Somatic Therapy and Nervous System Regulation
In addition to art and poetry therapy, somatic therapy has shown promise in benefiting autistic adults by aiding in nervous system regulation. Somatic therapy focuses on the connection between the mind and body, encouraging individuals to become more attuned to their physical sensations as a way of processing emotions and trauma. For autistic people, who may experience heightened sensory sensitivities and dysregulation, somatic therapy offers techniques to manage stress and anxiety effectively.
A study in the journal Frontiers in Psychology (Weiss et al, 2018) found that somatic therapy can help autistic adults develop greater awareness of our bodily responses, leading to better emotional regulation and a reduction in anxiety. This form of therapy empowers us to harness our body’s natural capacity for healing, thereby promoting a sense of safety and grounding.
The Intersection of Creative and Somatic Therapies
When combined, creative and somatic therapies offer a holistic approach to supporting autistic adults. Engaging in creative activities such as drawing, painting, or writing can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for relaxation and rest. This, in turn, complements the goals of somatic therapy by fostering a calm and regulated state.
For instance, art therapy sessions that incorporate mindfulness and body-awareness techniques can help autistic individuals create a tangible connection between our emotions and physical sensations. This integrated approach not only enhances emotional expression but also aids in developing coping strategies for managing stress and sensory overload.
The Transformative Power of Creative Therapies
Creative therapies offer autistic adults an invaluable outlet for self-expression, emotional regulation, and healing. By providing non-verbal and non-traditional pathways for communication, these therapies respect the diverse ways in which autistic people (and all people, actually) experience and interact with the world. The use of image-work in particular allows for a safe exploration of unconscious material, facilitating healing from both CPTSD and acute traumatic experiences. Furthermore, the integration of somatic therapy with creative modalities offers a comprehensive approach to nervous system regulation, supporting overall mental and emotional well-being.
As research continues to underscore the benefits of creative therapies, it is crucial for therapists and mental health practitioners to incorporate these modalities into their practice. By doing so, they can provide autistic adults with the tools and support we need to thrive, both within and beyond the therapeutic setting.
For autistic people, engaging in creative and somatic therapies can be a transformative experience, fostering not only a deeper understanding of ourselves but also an easier sense of connection with the world around us.
References:
American Art Therapy Association. (n.d.). Art Therapy.
Mazza, N. (2016). Poetry Therapy: Theory and Practice. Journal of Poetry Therapy.
Hwang, Y. S., et al. (2015). The Effect of Art Therapy on Anxiety and Emotional Regulation in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
Kristeva, J. (1984) Revolution in Poetic Language, Columbia University Press.
Malchiodi, C. A. (2020). Image-Based Trauma Therapy: Healing through Art. The Arts in Psychotherapy.
Ogden, P., & Fisher, J. (2015). Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: Interventions for Trauma and Attachment.
Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-regulation.
Weiss, J. A., Fardella, M. A., Cappadocia, M. C., & Burnham Riosa, P. (2018). Anxiety, Sensory Over-Responsivity, and Somatic Complaints in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1-10.
Dr Stephanie Aspin 