Challenges and Rewards of Teaching Art to People With Special Needs

If you’ve ever considered teaching art to individuals with special needs but didn’t know what it takes, it’s helpful to have first hand knowledge from experienced teachers. For this article I approached Steve Barr, Founder of Drawn to Help, Elise Beattie, artist and volunteer teacher, and Purvi Shah, Founder of Kids & Art Foundation, to share some of the important challenges and rewards of teaching art to people with special needs.

(A similar article appeared in Professional Artist magazine.)

Steve Barr: Learn About Patient Confidentiality Regulations (HIPAA)

Steve Barr is a cartoon artist, stevebarrcartoons.com, and also the Founder and Director of the organization Drawn to Help, drawntohelp.com, in which artists supplement existing art programs for children at hospitals, camps and treatment facilities around the U.S.

Steve learned fast about Patient Confidentiality Regulations. He was required to furnish proof of an annual two-step TB screen and have a flu shot. “I also had to learn about things that could potentially harm the kids.” When bringing art supplies to the facilities that are treating children for cancer Steve points out, “I had to make sure everything I brought into the hospital was new and unopened, nontoxic and latex-free.” Wearing a mask and gloves during bedside visits is also necessary. “At times I had to wear head-to-toe protective outfits and a respirator. Especially if the child was in an isolation room.”

About teaching in hospitals, he adds, “Some locations also require a criminal background check.”

Experience The Healing Effect
Steve reminds us why this work is so gratifying. “I was asked to visit an 11-year-old who was in hospice care. She had written a “bucket list” of things she wanted to do before she passed, which included to learn how to draw cartoons. She had not eaten for two days. When we got done drawing together, she surprised everyone in the room by sitting up and asking, “Can I order a bagel with cream cheese and a really large orange juice?”

Read Steve Barr’s article Finding Funds to Do Great Things With Your Art.

Elise Beattie: Listen to, Watch and Assess the Students

Artist Elise Beattie beattieartworks.com has been a volunteer art instructor for many decades. She has brought art programs throughout the U.S., to disadvantaged children and teens, seniors, and individuals with learning challenges, such as autism and downs syndrome.

When asked for advice, she explains, “Probably the toughest challenge I face as an instructor, is the requirement to listen and watch my students and then assess what works for each individual. Some students need aids such as brush extenders or specialized tables, while others are better inclined to producing 3-dimensional art because of a specific palsy, and still others need extra support, patience and encouragement with just completing the projects.”

Learn Love and Compassion
Elise recalls a rewarding experience when working with an angry young woman. “At first, she rebelled about making art, until I found a subject she was passionate about — dogs. As a dog person myself we had a starting point for communication. I encouraged her and showed her how to create dog themed art. From that moment on, we were friends.”

Elise adds, “What is important about teaching others with special needs is not what I taught them but rather what they taught me: love and compassion.”

Purvi Shah: Understand the Patients’ Limitations

Purvi Shah is the Founder and Executive Director of Kids & Art Foundation (kidsandart.org). Her son died from cancer at the age of nine. After seeing the healing impact that art had on her son and family members while he was in treatment, she launched the Kids & Art Foundation, through which professional artists are trained specifically to offer free workshops at UCSF Benioff Children’s hospital, Stanford Children’s hospital and unique destinations throughout the California Bay Area..

Purvi reminds us there is much to learn from presenting art workshops with cancer patients. For instance, neuropathy is an issue when the individual cannot cut paper or hold a pencil for a long time. One session involved an origami project. “I did not know much about the term ‘chemo brain’. Folding, being precise and very accurate were tedious for these patients.” Fortunately, all the adults assessed the situation and stepped in and made beautiful origami birds. “That was a big lesson I never forgot.”