Creative Therapy and Initiative Activities Among People with Developmental Disabilities in Public Facilities

• Published in: Journal of disability policy studies 2002-12, Vol.13 (3), p.138-143
• Main Authors: Qiang Huang, Dodder, Richard A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult Learning; Aging (Individuals); Annual Reports; Art therapy; Caregivers; Communication; Community Relations; Consumers; Creative Activities; Creative therapy; Creativity; Developmental disabilities; Exercise; Gender Issues; Group Discussion; Group therapy; Independent Living; Intellectual disabilities; Intellectual Disability; Interpersonal Relationship; Learning disabilities; Learning Problems; Leisure Time; Music therapy; Musical Instruments; Older Adults; Older people; Painting (Visual Arts); People with disabilities; Psychiatry; Quality Assurance; Quality control; School Districts; Self expression; Therapy
• ISSN: 1044-2073; 1538-4802
• DOI: 10.1177/10442073020130030101

Karst (1982) contended that creative self-expression may transcend the limitations of mental retardation and can be a natural medium for communication beyond intellectual and verbal ability. Thus, creative therapy can be a medium to help people learn to initiate activities beyond their perceived limitations. The Developmental Disabilities Quality Assurance Project at Oklahoma State University conducts an annual report on the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities in Oklahoma. In 1997, creative therapy, such as music and art therapy, sensory awareness/stimulation, and aquatic therapy, was provided to people living in public facilities (N = 168). Caregivers indicated the number of hours per week that creative therapy was employed. Chi-square and t tests were used to assess relationships between hours of creative therapy (in four categories from high to low) and people's initiative activities. Both caregivers and consumers were asked if consumers chose (a) how to spend their money, (b) food at home and in restaurants, (c) free-time activities, and (d) friends. According to caregiver responses, only purchasing clothes was significantly related to more hours of therapy received; according to consumer responses, only choosing food at home was significant. On all questions examined, however, caregivers indicated that consumers exercised more choice than consumers themselves indicated.