Today was my second experience working with adolescents - adults who are mentally retarded. Our group took place at a different site, in Islandia NY. The group was comprised of what seems to be several different levels of development or impairments. Upon entering I detected varying levels of intensity circulating around the room. Some of the clients sat calmly together while others walked around, loudly talking to themselves; yet still some sat alone completely silent. When I entered most of the clients noticed me and took me in with their eyes - some expressed no emotion, others were open to introductions or even approached to ask my name or show me something, and some showed signs of anxiety due to my presence and avoided me.
The task, or thought to run with as the group began their creations, was centered around the themes of Christmas wishes. Being the last time we would meet with this group until christmas and the break had passed, an exception was made that group members could create work to take home and give as gifts. Normally the clients do not take home their artwork. It is kept by the art therapist Lauren, and documented. The clients were offered two choices, painting or drawing.
I had a difficult time deciphering what some o the verbal clients were saying. A female client in-particular was quite the talker, and asked many questions, most of which I could not understand. Faced with this, I once again found m teacher voice coming out - I noticed however that it was less present with another client who appears to be at a higher level of functioning and development than the rest of the consumers. A reminder that I must be more aware of my tone and body language.
I became nervous when I was interacting with a male client whose age I am unsure of but would estimate between 20 and 30 years old. I was not nervous in the sense of being in danger, but that he may go into an emotional tantrum. The client wanted to draw a bear - He showed me a picture of a bear that hung on the wall indicating he wanted to draw this particular bear. He offered the pencil to me asking me to draw it for him. Lauren who was watching, chimed in "She is not going to draw it for you. She can draw it on a separate paper but she won't draw it for you". And so I knew not to draw it for him.
I drew a rendition of the bear he pointed out - and then a second one. When the client approved the second drawing, he took it under his own paper and began to trace it. He quickly became frustrated that he was not able to produce exactly what I had drawn and asked several times for me to draw it. I repeated several times that I would not draw it for him, offered him encouragement as a mean of confidence boosters and motivator. However this lead him to becoming increasingly frustrated - tearing up and looking imploringly at me. Once again I repeated that I would not draw it for him and that I thought he was doing a great job and could continue to do so.
The client did continue to draw the bear, but grudgingly. He was growling (for lack of a better word) under his breath while doing it. When he was unhappy with his drawing he nearly began to cry. With more nudging he continued - and his finished product, a superman bear, was very successful! Lauren explained that the client love superman and the motif appears in many of his drawings.
When the client was first trying to communicate his choice of subject to draw, he was communicating verbally, but coupled it with physical indicators or signs. He began by flicking his ears and following it by point towards the area where the bear hung. Seeing that I did not understand he beckoned me to follow and pointed out the picture. When he had finished his drawing of the bear, he asked for a new sheet of paper. I asked what he would draw and he responded by making a motion with both hands as if he were draping something around his neck. I was able to make out the words "for my mom" and asked if he wanted to make a necklace for his moth - he said yes. and handed me the pencil. With a crayon on a separate sheet of paper I drew a 'pearl necklace', and handed it to the client to trace. He glanced at it and put it down. he began to draw, without my drawing. I was surprised to see the he drew a heart. I later found out that his physical signal was one that was recognized by lauren and other staff members as meaning Heart. A reminder that time will aide in the communication between therapist and consumer.
The session in Islandia had an overall learning experience feeling to it. I felt positive, and calm - communicating unabashedly - I did not feel timid or held back. I will hope to work on communicating, allowing myself to repeat, and ask the same question several time to develop a means of uncovering what the client is trying to express verbally
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
As a ceramic artist for the past six years, my work has existed as an expression of a range of human emotions. Through my artwork I aim to communicate my personality and emotional outlook on my immediate world and the world at large. By indulging myself in the ceramic process I am able to establish my own creative outlet, while striving to create a similar experience for my viewers through the emotive ceramic sculptures created.
Profile
- Artist Bio
- Kelly Ann O’Sullivan was born in New Rochelle, NY in January of 1987. Kelly Ann will have received her BFA in Ceramics from the State University of New York at New Paltz, in 2010. In her time at the university, Kelly Ann was an active member of the Student Association, and the Student Art Alliance. The therapeutic nature of art, being a major influence on her life and work, Kelly Ann founded a student organization known as the New Paltz Art Therapy Association. The Artist is known for her emotive ceramic sculptures, which address the artist’s understanding, and depiction of a range of human emotions.
Posts
