The Future Is Now: Group Digital Art Therapy for Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder (L’avenir dès maintenant : groupe d’art-thérapie numérique pour adultes ayant un trouble du spectre de l’autisme)

Abstract

The potential of integrating digital media as an expressive medium within art therapy practice for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder is now being recognized. Recently, the Paparella Innovative Arts Center at Lawson Ministries Hamilton commenced an innovative group digital art therapy program for adults with medium- to high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder. The primary objective of the program is to enable group members to maintain their imaginative thinking abilities, strengthen their executive function skills, expand their digital media faculties, and promote their social engagement capabilities. This clinical practice article describes the framework of the group digital art therapy program, presents the digital equipment and applications utilized in the program, addresses the role of the art therapist in each session, illustrates the art-based interventions administered to group members, presents existing program evaluation outcomes, and summarizes the overall benefits and limitations of the program.