Creative Arts for Children with Special Needs - by Madhumitha Rangarajan

Mala is one of the facilitators in ABWA - an art program run for the neurodiverse who have difficulty in verbal and social communication. This is Mala’s home, converted into a makeshift space for her art class with Rishi, a student on the autism spectrum.

Despite living 3000 kilometers away, Rishi and his mother Ramya are still able to continue their art classes thanks to the internet and ABWA.

Mala, one of the three facilitators at ABWA, is painting along with Rishi during their art class.

As the physical art class came to a halt due to lockdown, Mala and her team started putting out small art tutorial videos and stringing together a bunch of photos as reference for the mothers to try doing the activity at home with their child, thus ensuring they don’t lose touch with free expression through art.

His mother Ramya says, “Rishi, aged 15, has been with ABWA for a few years now. It is amazing how innately sensitive the ABWA team is to each child's needs, wishes, likes, and dislikes. We, mothers, have learned so much from them in terms of learning to let go, give our children the space and the freedom to explore through a creative medium. They have opened a whole new world of creativity, imagination and possibilities for our kids!”

Rishi showing Mala the final art he created during the class.

The ABWA team comes up with fun, creative yet simple ideas for the child to do every week. Each activity is tailored to each child's capability and the classes are minimally guided by the teachers and assisted by the parent. 

Ramya, Rishi’s mother, absolutely loves the art class because she finds it as a huge stress-buster for them both.

The art of teaching is a reflective experience in itself. Here, Haripriya is all ready for her class. Each facilitator begins with a warm-up conversation, with a lot of smiles exchanged between them and the student, to create an atmosphere of comfort, before the activity begins.

Priya initiates her class with Pavitra by giving her some direction on the process.

Students are given a free hand to explore art materials. The facilitators offer directions only after a certain stage when students are more comfortable using the materials, to guide them along their journey of art.

Priya says, “ABWA has always been a place where our kids have the freedom to create their own masterpieces. I was pleasantly surprised at how well they all adjusted to the online classes. This was a learning curve for both  facilitators and parents, and I’m delighted that we have found a rhythm that brings out the creative freedom in our kids.”

Pavitra and her mother in a cute little art corner in their home. 

Her mother Sowdhamini says, “art has been a huge part of Pavitra's life ever since she was a child. Through ABWA, I have also learned a lot in terms of letting go, not intervening in her free exploration and at the same time improve my art quotient, and finally to chill in the tranquility of art exploration.”

Nivrutha says, “Mredini has been with ABWA for more than three years now. I love the way they let the children explore art in their own way. ABWA’s online art classes have been extremely helpful during the pandemic. They satisfy the sensory needs of each child by touching the paint, painting, pasting, and more - it’s a great way to keep them occupied.”

A mother's hands are always full.

Nivrutha attempts to fulfil the needs of both her children. She prepares for her elder daughter's art class - who is on the spectrum of autism - while arranging toys for her toddler.

Jyotsna, seen on the phone, guides Nivrutha through the class, ensuring she enjoys the entire process and has fun doing art with her daughter.

Nivrutha enjoying herself, while talking to Jyotsna on a Zoom call and finger painting with her daughter to decorate the Christmas tree.

ABWA's online classes have become a great way for mother and child to bond. They get to work hand in hand, with the child exploring communication through art, and the process is self-reflective for everybody who is a part of it.

Jyotsna Srinivasan has been with ABWA ever since it started in 2015. 

Working with the students of ABWA has altogether been a completely different experience. She was new to the learning process, and it was challenging. She had to learn to step back and see the results by letting the children explore the mediums themselves, to not direct them in any way.

Madhav making a Christmas tree with guidance from Jyotsna Srinivasan, his facilitator.

ABWA focuses more on the process than on the end product. Every student has the freedom to explore their choice of materials and create art with what they are comfortable with. 

Watching them enjoy the process of creating art is what inspires us.

Jyotsna Srinivasan says, “art, without an agenda, is their means of engaging with the outside world. Special needs children function differently - we need to give them the space and time to get comfortable where they are before they begin any activity. 

You must realise they are sensitive beings and one has to treat them as independent human beings capable of expressing themselves - and that’s what we aim to do at ABWA.”

Madhav poses with the Christmas tree he made during the art class and we see two happy faces who love what he has made. 

A convenient aspect of conducting classes online is that even if the Zoom session ends, the kids continue doing the art with the help of their mothers. There is no pressure of time to finish the final work.

Artist Velu Viswanadhan’s cottage space at Cholamandal Artists’ Village was where the regular art classes happened. 

Viswanadhan adored the work the children created and declared, "this isn't so much freedom of expression, but an expression of their freedom".

The cottage space was a beautiful space for the kids to come to, explore different textures and materials available and learn and grow.