Assessment of the effectiveness of art drawing for children with ASD and prediction of risk factors.

Researchers studied whether art therapy helps reduce anxiety in children with autism aged 3-8. Children who did drawing activities showed less anxiety during medical visits and were better at following treatment plans compared to children who didn't do art therapy. One specific type of drawing (house-tree-person) was particularly helpful for reducing anxiety, while other drawing types offered different benefits for individual children.

This controlled study examined art therapy effectiveness for anxiety and behavioral issues in 131 children with ASD aged 3-8 years. Participants were divided into control and painting groups, with the painting group receiving three types of drawing therapy: house-tree-person, mandala, and group drawing. Results showed the painting group had significantly reduced anxiety during medical visits and better treatment adherence compared to controls. House-tree-person drawing therapy specifically correlated with anxiety reduction, while mandala and group therapies showed no significant anxiety correlation but offered personalized treatment benefits.

Group therapy effectiveness increased with participant numbers, suggesting social components may enhance outcomes.

Art therapy, particularly house-tree-person drawing, may be valuable for managing medical anxiety in young children with ASD. Practitioners should consider group size optimization for group interventions. Art therapy could be integrated into pre-medical visit protocols to improve treatment adherence and reduce anxiety-related challenges.

Study design unclear from abstract. No sample size breakdown between groups reported. Limited demographic details provided. Unclear how anxiety was measured or what constituted 'poor treatment adherence'. Follow-up duration and long-term effects not specified.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a recognized public health issue with unknown origins. This study explored the use of art therapy to address anxiety and behavioral issues in ASD, focusing on individualized treatment and multi-method assessment. A total of 131 children with ASD, aged 3 to 8, were divided into a control and a painting group. Both received a drawing book for home use.

The painting group underwent 3 types of drawing therapy, and their effectiveness was analyzed using logistic regression, with anxiety levels as the dependent variable. The painting group showed reduced anxiety during preparation and pre-anesthetic visits compared to the control group. The control group had a higher rate of poor treatment adherence. House-tree-person drawing therapy was linked to reduced anxiety, while mandala and group drawing therapies showed no significant (P > .05) correlation with anxiety levels.

Group therapy effectiveness increased (P < .05) with participant numbers. Art drawing can significantly reduce anxiety in children with ASD and improve treatment adherence. House-tree-person drawing is useful for anxiety screening, while mandala and group therapies offer personalized treatment approaches.