The Body Image in the Drawings of Children Diagnosed with Autism

Abstract

The specifics of sensory perception and the perception of the own body in children with autism is the basis of understanding the difficulties in their cognitive and social development. On the other hand, drawing is a method of examination with a therapeutic effect and minimizes harm and anxiety from a standard psychological study. This article aims to explore the issues related to body image and its use in clinical diagnosis and therapeutic practice with children diagnosed with autism. Following the principle of quality methods of clinical diagnosis, this work attempts to present the place of the body, the internal image of the body in working with the autistic child and how it presents it to us in its drawings during sessions with the psychologist. The drawings of 60 children diagnosed with autism aged 3 to 6 years were examined. Methods used: the method of free drawing, clinical observation. Results: When examining the drawings of children diagnosed with autism, certain specifics and trends were taken into account that allows their partial structuring and analysis, compared in the group of autistic children. Due to the specificity and strong heterogeneity of the condition, it is not recommended to do such research in comparative analysis with control groups of healthy children. Conclusions: Some common points are drawn, such as identification with individual objects, such as road signs, figures, dismemberment of the inner body image, drawing of the figures circled by the outside world with a circle or square, etc. The goal is delicate and respectful of the autistic protections of the child, to attempt to understand the inner image of the body and the pathways for therapeutic work.