In my own mental health and social skills work with individuals, groups and classes on the autism spectrum, art-based interventions have for some time been an important part of my repertoire.

Although I am neither an artist nor an “art therapist,” many of my free resources, as well as portions of my published books, include therapeutic exercises incorporating sketching, drawing, coloring and various creative applications of provided images.

This six-part series summarizes my ideas and resources for using drawing, coloring and other kinds of visual creativity to facilitate social and emotional learning, particularly with young people on the autism spectrum.

Most of the printable materials shown can be downloaded for free from this website.

Access the six parts of the series via the links below.

Joel Shaul, LCSW

Part 1: Reasons to use art in social & emotional teaching. Some guiding principles & professional concerns.

Part 2: Assigning individual drawing tasks for social & emotional learning.

Part 3: Assigning collaborative drawing tasks for social learning.

Part 4: Coloring & decorating to add interest & levity to social & emotional learning.

Part 5: Creative use of others’ images and AI for social & emotional learning.

Part 6: Encouraging & validating the child’s own artistic expression in therapy & teaching.