"Fireworks That Spell Text": How an Art Mural Facilitates Expression Among Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder

• In Event: Millennium Hotel Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: Innovative Approaches to Art and Design Education

Abstract

This paper reports on a research study that investigated the impact of a community-based mural-making activity co-created by adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), typically developing adolescents, and the other members of the community. This study investigated the impact of the mural-making activity on these adolescents in terms of enabling expression among them and the kinds of social scripts they expressed through the mural. The themes and ideas expressed through the mural reflect their sense of isolation felt within the larger community, the need for acceptance about autism in the community and better communication with typical people. This activity might benefit by exploring the relationship between mural-making activity and the qualitative improvement of social behaviors for children with ASD.

Authors

• Mousumi De, University of Redlands

• Wenjing Zheng, Minot State University