Beeldende therapie bij volwassenen met autisme

This study evaluated the effect of the Art Therapy program ‘Images of Self ’ (IoS) in four adults with an ASD. The effectiveness was investigated by means of a multiple case study (N=4) with a focus on qualitative data, in which pre-post questionnaires were used. Observations were made by means of topic lists. In addition, three conversations with the client and someone out of his/her close surrounding shed some light on the results with respect to daily life. There are indications that IoS can be used for adults with ASD, who are experiencing diffi culties in self-esteem, emotion regulation, flexibility in coping with changes and social communicative behaviour. It can contribute to getting a grip on feelings and insight into oneself, and it can help to establish contact within the therapy as well. Due to limitations in the study design (small study population), further research is necessary to replicate this study and test its mechanisms of action in a larger sample size.