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Owl House, Goa hosted a two-day online workshop on non-conventional therapies, including play therapy, sensory integration therapy, dance and movement therapy, and art therapy, on 7/8/24 and 8/8/24.
The sessions integrated both theoretical orientation and practical application.
The workshop was customised to cater to the needs of children with NDD (neurodevelopmental disorders)
Participants got a demonstration of simple play techniques with proper rationale for children with NDD.
They also received a demonstration of various sensory play techniques for both sensory integration and skill building.
The participants learnt several dance movement techniques for improving orientation, building boundaries, spatial perception, self-awareness, and psychological and physical flexibility.
They discussed art therapy and its application in detail to enhance organisational skills and boost self-esteem.
These non-conventional therapeutic approaches also help individuals with difficulty communicating verbally in their self-expression.
We have conducted a workshop on non-conventional therapies that do not typically use traditional learning principles, like operant and classical conditioning, among others. These therapeutic modes are non-directive, meaning that the individual leads the therapist in the session.
In this blog, we will discuss play therapy, sensory integration therapy, art therapy, dance and movement therapy, which give you control over the direction and content of the therapy sessions. The therapist treats the individual on an equal platform, unlike a teacher-taught relationship, and changes in the individual stem from within.
Play gives concrete form and expression to a child's inner world. It gives a meaningful expression to both cognitively and emotionally significant experiences.
A major function of play is to change what appears unmanageable in reality into manageable situations with the help of symbolic representation. This provides children with opportunities for learning to cope by engaging in self-directed exploration.
Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy primarily for children (and sometimes adults) working through apparently unsolved psychological issues. Children can express themselves and learn about the world through their natural love of play. Therapists use it primarily for children, but adults can benefit, too.
A disorder known as sensory-integrative dysfunction occurs when the brain does not integrate or organise sensory input appropriately. This leads to varying degrees of issues with development, information processing, and behaviour.
Sensory integration is a process that enables us to make sense of our environment by receiving, registering, modulating, organising, and interpreting information that comes to our brains from our senses. We typically think of five senses: vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.
These senses provide us with information about the world around us and how we interact with our environment. However, humans also possess certain internal senses that provide information regarding:
·The position of different body parts (proprioception)
·How our bodies are moving (kinesthesis)
·Our position in space and in relation to gravity (vestibular)
a) SI is necessary in order to be able to use the body effectively within the environment.
b) SI is the foundation that allows complex learning and behaviour.
c) The foundation of SI lies in the seven senses: Visual, auditory, touch, smell, taste,
vestibular (pull of gravity) and proprioception (body awareness and movement)
d) Our brain takes in the information from the senses and uses it to form a full picture of
who we are, where we are, and what is going around us.
This picture can only be formed through the critical process of SI.
Dance / Movement Therapy is defined by the American Dance Therapy Association as “the psychotherapeutic use of movement as a process that furthers the emotional, cognitive, social and physical integration of the individual.”
In general dance is the expression of lyrics. But Dance and Movement Therapy is the process of expressing inner psychological issues along with external body awareness.
The present mood, emotions and situation (body and mind) that the individuals at present are going through is expressed and reflected through Dance and Movement Therapy.
Dance and Movement Therapy has been primarily derived from dance but it is a psychotherapeutic process and can be applied to individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders for their holistic development.
It is non-directive and the session may not be pre planned as the need/s, even momentary needs, is/are considered in the process of DMT. Establishment of rapport is a prerequisite.
· Dance/movement therapy have exceptional benefits in improving the wellbeing of individuals with autism as well as other conditions such as depression and anxiety.
· When DMT is included as a form of clinical intervention for children on the autism spectrum, among other therapies such as occupational therapy or work with psychologists, it enables a holistic form of support.
· Perhaps the best part of dance therapy for children with special needs is that it enables a universal form of communication not limited to verbal communication. It gives parents whose children with autism are nonverbal the peace of mind that there are therapies which cater to their child’s communication abilities.
Art therapy uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical and mental well-being of individuals of all ages.
In practice, art therapy can look very different when practiced by and with different individuals. It can be free-flowing or structured, interactive or individual.
It is assumed that a non-verbal person or a person with limited verbal capabilities though may not be exposed to opportunities can use artistic media to express inner conflicts.
Art Therapy offers an opportunity for therapists to work one-on-one with individuals on the autism spectrum to build a wide range of skills in a manner which may be more comfortable (and thus more effective) than spoken language.
The aim of the therapy is not ‘fixing’ a child’s artwork; rather it is using art to ‘fix’ part of the child’s behaviour. The art itself is not as important as gaining self-discovery, experimentation, tactile tolerance.
If a child with ASD is stalled out at the scribbling level and the therapist believe that he can do better, there are several things to consider to help him to move on.
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can benefit tremendously from art therapy
methods. This includes : improving eye contact and the relationship between cause and effect.
Some individuals with ASD present their abstract concepts and dynamic memory through
paintings. Additionally, art therapy for autism can aid in improving communication and
developing social relationships. Children with autism have talents, and art makes it easier to
explore them.
· Experiencing Sensory Stimulation
· Improving Self-Esteem
· Increasing Social Interactions
· Developing Motor Skills
· Inspiring creativity
· Exploring Emotions
· Training the Nervous System
· Improving Parental Bonds
The workshop primarily focussed on the usage of home based materials like dal rice rajma rope, containers and many other stuff to enhance physical sensory and cognitive training of children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
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