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SPECIAL KIDS
Art. I find some children do just fine in regular classes and others benefit from a smaller
group or individual sessions. I am happy to meet with you and your child to discuss what
might be best for them.
Art activities are fun and theme based to help the child focus to the best of their ability.
They are shown techniques, challenged to find a form for their self expression, and/or
worked with hand over hand. Children are exposed to a variety of types of art to explore
and experience new colors, textures, visual effects, and tools.
Older students with an aptitude or desire to be instructed in a specific media can be
accommodated as well. I am happy to talk to your child's therapists to gain insight and
reinforce what they are focusing on.
I am not a certified art therapist but an art teacher interested in teaching your child about
art and helping them gain pride and confidence in their abilities, not their disabilities. I
find many times that it is the parent who is amazed at what their child can accomplish.
I have a BFA in Fine Arts and a minor in Art Therapy and Psychology
from James Madison University. I have also taken course work in
Recreation Therapy and have a Masters Degree in Health
Administration from The University of Maryland. In addition I am a
trained special needs foster parent for Henrico County DSS.
I find I pull less on my formal education than I do from my experiences
working with individuals with disabilities.
Since 1987 I have worked with Senior Adults including those with hemi
paresis, MR, and Alzheimer's bringing art and art expression to these
Seniors who feel they have lost their ability to be heard. I supervised
and brought together intergenerational art programs with Seniors and
Children. I have assisted OTs and SLPs with therapy sessions using art
as tool.
I have seen some of the best work come from the further advanced
Alzheimer's patient whose inhibitions and set ideas of outcome don't
hinder what they see and do in the moment. I have worked with
individuals using adaptive equipment and managed over 75 PTs, OTs
and speech language pathologist and learned a great deal from them.
I have had the pleasure of working with Autistic Children, Hemi paresis,
those with Sensory Integration and ADD to name a few. My youngest
child suffered a stroke and through art she has strengthened her eye
hand coordination, grip, and I have seen improvement with tremor
control. Besides she just loves to paint anytime and anywhere.
Located in Henrico County, Richmond Virginia
(804) 740-6406
alison.owens@comcast.net
