“Art is the meeting ground of the world inside and the world outside.” -Elinor Ulman.

Through
the arts, the internal world of a person is bridged to the outside and helps the person connect with
others. This is exactly the reason why a study was done among persons with autism and how they
responded to the expressive arts.

To present his findings, Dominic T. Paguio or Teacher Dom, the Special Education Director and
Expressive Arts Facilitator of TW Community Enablers attended and conducted a breakout session
in the 13th International Conference of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association in
Berkeley, California, USA last March 1-3. 2019. The conference had the theme: “RISE UP: The
Evolution and Revolution of Expressive Arts Therapy”. The conference celebrated the expressive
arts’ potential to foster inclusion and forward social justice.

Teacher Dom’s paper is entitled “ Going beyond the personal: the Expressive Arts and Autism”
was a case study of three persons with autism and focused on the parent’s perception on the
benefits of the expressive arts on their children and observations of the researcher as the children
participated in the expressive arts program of TW Community Enablers. Teacher Dom has been
implementing expressive arts activities among persons with autism since 2013 and sees the
expressive arts as a multi modal approach that helps the individual grow and heal in a safe and non
judgemental environment.

During the presentation, Teacher Dom started by facilitating the group of around 15 participants,
composed of expressive arts therapists who worked with persons with autism from different
countries, in a focusing activity similar to what the participants of the research experienced. HIs
study found that through the exploration of varied art materials, a structure in the sessions that
allows expression and creates a feeling of safety, and fostering a trusting relationship, physical and
behavioral, psychological and interpersonal benefits were noted. Physical and behavioral effects
revolved around notable relaxation observed by the researcher and the families of the PWAs,
increased competence in doing art, and improved behaviors as manifested by reduced tantrums
and frequency of seizures. Psychologically, he identified an improvement in motivation and a
desire for continuation in involvement in the expressive arts activities, increase in focus and
attention, not only in art but in other activities as well, Self efficacy and a feeling of hope among
the parents regarding their children’s future.Interpersonally, the participants seem to be more
engaged with the family through increased involvement in family activities such as going to art
museums and co-creation of art.

The study fortifies the claims that persons with autism benefit from expressive arts activities that
is not only subjective to the person, but is also observed and felt by their families. THis study is a
great addition to a scant body of knowledge in this field of study that art can be a bridge for the
person with autism to be connected to the outside world.