Art & Craft Therapy - Working with Special Needs Children

As a sufferer of depression, I found that Art and Craft therapy helped give me short periods of mind rest, during the darkest days of my illness. This led to a hobby and is now how I make my living.

Recently I was very lucky to be asked to visit a special needs school in Kettering to run an hour beading ‘work related learning‘ session with some special needs teenagers (with varying abilities and needs). This was part of the Vocational studies program run in preparation for the children leaving school. The children (aged 15-17) loved the colourful beads I used; the different textures making them tactile and interesting. They helped me choose each bead to string the necklace I made for them, and their involvement meant they felt part of the whole process. They then went on to make some simple projects of their own, set out by their teachers and assistants, while I assisted and coached them.

I got so much out of this experience that is has left me wanting more. Having experienced a mental illness and yet gained so much from it I feel I am in a terrific position to help others through Art therapy. I am always on the look out for new contacts to use my skills.