CHARTERING THE UNCHARTED WITH THE EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPIES IN GHANA

Tabitha Harriet Deh

Abstract


This research explored expressive arts therapies with the children with special needs at the Echoing village in Madina, Accra, Ghana. The special needs children in this study are being cared for in a private special institution/ home. In this study, various components of the expressive arts have been used to heal and invigorate the children with special needs and to help change people’s negative perceptions about their capabilities in Ghana in general. These negative, social and cultural perceptions have compounded the problem of convincing society about what the special needs are capable of achieving when creative interventions are applied. The children at the Echoing village were offered the opportunity to explore and practice meaningful actions methods to enhance their intellectual, social and emotional development. Their intellectual inadequacies nevertheless did not hinder them from exploring their artistic capabilities to achieve this aim.

 

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Keywords


expressive arts therapies, intellectual disabilities, children with special needs, Ghana

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References


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Rogers, N. (1993). Creative Connections; Expressive Arts as Healing. Palo Alto, California: Science & Behavior Books, Inc.

Rubin, A. J. (1987). Approaches to Art Therapy: Theory and Technique. New York: Brunner/ Mazel Publishers.

Siks, G. B. (1977). Drama with Children. University of Washington, New York: Harper & Row Publishers.




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejse.v0i0.1496

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