Published on: 5 September 2019





Individuals with Autism see the world differently and their ways of interacting, communicating, exploring and expressing might seem to others, a little unusual and even peculiar.

In many situations, conventional methods for social interactions do not allow students with additional needs the flexibility required to express what is inside their beautiful minds and let us understand what exactly they see, think and feel.

Over the last few years, Art therapy has been a very successful approach used in the School’s Peter Moyes Centre (PMC) to support boys in exploring the world in a more open-ended, flexible and sensory way.

Louise Pennington, the School’s Artist in Residence, exposes the boys to different art techniques and materials that facilitate not only the development of their fine and gross motor skills, but enable them to become more adaptable in unfamiliar scenarios with unfamiliar textures.

“The calm environment created by these art sessions assist the boys in regulating their emotions as well as interacting with their peers and teachers,” said Co-ordinator of the Peter Moyes Centre, Mrs Daniela Chacon.

“Most importantly, it gives them a voice to express themselves in a world that can otherwise be confusing and overwhelming.”