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Research

Before designing anything, Shruti reviewed what published research says about art-based interventions for children.

01

Research question

Could art become a simple, accessible way to help children pause, express themselves and engage with their emotions?

Shruti Arvind

02

Literature review

The review examined 16 peer-reviewed studies on art-based interventions and their potential applications for children with autism.

It identified common approaches, reported outcomes and practical considerations relevant to designing an intervention that could run in an ordinary school.

Studies were drawn from databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Taylor & Francis and SAGE Journals, covering both qualitative and quantitative research. Each study was entered into a literature review matrix (purpose, method, key findings, limitations and areas for further study) and the evidence was then organised into four themes.

Studies reviewed
16 peer-reviewed
Focus
Art-based interventions, particularly for children with autism
Completed
2025
Published
Curieux Review, 2026
Used for
Designing the five-activity toolkit

03

Key themes

Across the 16 studies, art therapy appeared to create a non-threatening environment in which children with ASD could express themselves more freely than in language-based or more structured formats.

Emotional regulation
Drawing, painting and clay may help children express feelings they find difficult to put into words, and the textures of materials may help them calm.
Communication
Art offers a way to communicate that relies less on language, which matters most for children who are non-verbal or minimally verbal.
Social skills
Group and parent–child art sessions gave children a low-pressure setting to practise patience, turn-taking and collaboration.
Motor skills
Results were mixed: some studies found gains in fine motor skills, others none, often with small samples and short programmes.

04

From findings to design

The findings were used to set the structure and objectives of the five activities in the toolkit, which were then tested at Swabodhini and Manjakkudi.

See the toolkit

05

Publication

First page of the literature review by Shruti Arvind

Published research

Systematic Literature Review of Art Therapy Interventions for Children with ASD

Shruti Arvind
Curieux Review, 2026

A review of 16 peer-reviewed studies on art therapy and art-based interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder, organised into four themes: motor skills, communication, emotional regulation and social skills.

Download PDF PDF, 154 KB
References (18 works cited)
  1. White, S. W., Oswald, D., Ollendick, T., & Scahill, L. (2009). Anxiety in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Clinical Psychology Review, 29(3), 216–229.
  2. Evans, K., & Dubowski, J. (2001). Art therapy with children on the autism spectrum. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London.
  3. Martin, N. (2009). Art as an early intervention tool for children with autism. Jessica Kingsley, London.
  4. Schweizer, C., Knorth, E. J., & Spreen, M. (2014). Art therapy with children with autism spectrum disorders: A review of clinical case descriptions. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 41(5), 577–593.
  5. Moon, C. H. (2012). Materials and media in art therapy: Critical understandings of diverse artistic vocabularies. Routledge.
  6. Kaimal, G., & Ray, K. (2016). Free art-making in an art therapy open studio: Changes in affect and self-efficacy. Arts & Health, Taylor and Francis.
  7. Lord, C., Rutter, M., DiLavore, P. C., & Risi, S. (2000). Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Vol 30.
  8. Abdulah, D. M., Abdulla, B. M. O., & Liamputtong, P. (2023). Impact of short and intensive art-based intervention on symptomatology and social interactions among children with autism spectrum disorder. Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics, 66(10), 447–454.
  9. Deleon, A. (2024). Art therapy as a tool to enhance social skills in children with autism spectrum disorder: A literature review. Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses, Lesley University.
  10. Chincholkar, V., et al. (2019). The Unfinished Painting – An arts based therapy approach as an early intervention module for children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Evidence Based Medicine and Healthcare, 6(40).
  11. Kesherim, R. (2024). Art therapy and autism: A powerful combination. Supportive Care ABA.
  12. Tang, W. (2023). Expressive arts group therapy in parent-child settings for children with autism. Capstone Theses, Lesley University.
  13. Zhou, Y. Y., et al. (2024). A review of the effectiveness of art therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Student Research, 13(3).
  14. Bernier, A., Ratcliff, K., Hilton, C., Fingerhut, P., & Li, C. (2022). Art interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder: A scoping review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76, 7605205030.
  15. Moo, S., & Ho, R. (2024). Family-centered creative arts therapies for children with autism: A configurative review. Family Relations, NCFR.
  16. Akridge, J. M. (2021). The benefits of creative art therapy for youth with autism spectrum disorder: A review of the literature (Honors thesis, University of Central Florida). STARS.
  17. Gulati, S., et al. (2024). Brushing away barriers: The healing touch of art as an intervention in children with autism. Sage.
  18. Vogel, S., et al. (2024). Art therapy for children and adolescents with autism: A systematic review. International Journal of Art Therapy, 30(2), Routledge.