Document Type

Capstone

Abstract

Pediatric and adolescent mental health disorders have a significant impact on occupational performance. This may include difficulty in social situations, decreased ability to engage in selfcare tasks, difficulty problem solving, or difficulty during mealtime. Occupational therapy practitioners can address occupational performance in this population through art-based activities to improve emotional and sensory regulation. Research shows that visual art activities can improve emotional expression, sensory regulation, abstract thinking, communication, and self-esteem. Art-based activities can include textile crafts, painting, drawing, making things with clay, or coloring. A presentation and activity booklet were created to share the impact of art-based occupational therapy on children and adolescents with mental health conditions. The objectives of the presentation and activity booklet included improving participants' understanding of pediatric mental health conditions and art. based occupational therapy. Twelve participants attended the presentation and completed a pre-survey. Nine of those participants completed the post-survey. These surveys gathered demographic information and were used to evaluate the growth in understanding of mental health disorders, art-based activities, and impact of art-based activities on pediatric mental health disorders. Overall, data showed that participants increased their understanding and awareness of art-based occupational therapy and how it can benefit children and adolescents with mental health disorders. In addition, the research showed that children and adolescents with mental health disorders can improve occupational performance when participating in visual art activities. These findings provide further information on an emerging area of practice within occupational therapy and provide caregivers and occupational therapy practitioners with information on evidence-based art-based activities for adolescents with mental health disorders.

Publication Date

5-1-2024

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