Short Article
Kaveh Moghaddam, Aida Ravarian
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the severest psychological disorders in children and adolescents in which symptoms such as stereotypical behaviors, impairments of social skills and dysfunction of verbal skills can affect all of their life aspects. Also, they suffer from sensory dysfunction. This disorder has a high incidence around the world and it is seen in Iran as well. For improvement of these problems, a lot of interventions such as Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH), Family Therapy and etc. are applied, but recently, studies show that the application of supportive interventions via beautiful arts such as drawing and painting, music, clay work, and theatre can lead to better results in the improvement of these symptoms. Art therapy techniques, especially painting, fine arts such as drawing and theatre are performed in an environment in which all sensory stimuli like light, sound, and color can be observed and according to art therapy researches and studies these sensory stimuli can lead to better sensory integration in these children. Also, they can have better eye-contact, motivation, selfesteem. and interpersonal interaction and verbal skills via role-playing at the scene. Therefore, this article discusses a landscape of art therapy and psychodrama on the improvement of symptoms of children and adults with autism spectrum disorder in Iran.