Pediatr. praxi. 2026;27(3):177-180 | DOI: 10.36290/ped.2026.028

Art therapy intervention in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

doc. MUDr. Petr Kachlík, Ph.D., MSc., Mgr. Pavel Sochor, Ph.D.
Katedra speciální a inkluzivní pedagogiky, Pedagogická fakulta, Masarykova univerzita, Brno

This is a review article, the aim of which is to expand awareness of the field of art therapy, the possibilities of applying art therapy approaches, methods and techniques in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The text includes the development of professional knowledge, including current information from research and practice. The paper lists workplaces focusing on this target group. The multidisciplinary topic connects not only special educators, but also psychologists, art therapists and pediatricians.

Keywords: art therapy, intervention, communication support, autism spectrum disorders, artistic creation.

Accepted: June 22, 2026; Published: July 1, 2026  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Kachlík P, Sochor P. Art therapy intervention in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Pediatr. praxi. 2026;27(3):177-180. doi: 10.36290/ped.2026.028.
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Purchase PDF - 60 CZK (2.5 EUR)
    will be unlocked 1.7.2027

    References

    1. International Classification of Diseases, Eleventh Revision (ICD-11) [online]. Geneva: World Health Organization (WHO), 2019 [cit. 11-20-2025]. Available from: https://icd.who.int/en.
    2. Kamp-Becker I. Autism spectrum disorder in ICD-11 - A critical reflection of its possible impact on clinical practice and research. Mol. Psychiatry. 2024;29(3):633-638. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-023-02354-y. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    3. Lai M-C, Kassee C, Besney R, et al. Prevalence of co-occurring mental health diagnoses in the autism population: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Psychiatry. 2019;6(10):819-829. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30289-5. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    4. Letts L, Wilkins S, Law M, et al. Guidelines for critical review form: Qualitative studies (Version 2.0) [online]. McMaster university occupational therapy evidence-based practice research group, 2007; 1-12 [cit. 11-20-2025]. Available from: https://www.academia.edu/download/37393462/qualguide.pdf.
    5. Ondriová I, Fertaľová T, Hadašová, L. Prípadová štúdia vy­užívania komunikačných spôsobov u detí trpiacich autizmom. Pediatr. praxi. 2020;21(6):429-431. http://doi.org/10.36290/ped.2020.090. Go to original source...
    6. Sabet S, Abadi ZCH. The effect of art therapy on motor skills of children with autism. Int. J. Appl. Behav. Sci. 2021;8(4):27-34. https://doi.org/10.22037/ijabs.v8i4.33684. Go to original source...
    7. Schweizer C. Art Therapy for Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Development and First Evaluation of a Treatment Programme (Doctoral dissertation). Groningen: University of Groningen 2020: 197 s. https://doi.org/10.33612/diss.131700276. Go to original source...
    8. Bernier A, Ratcliff K, Histon C, et al. Art interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder: A scoping review. Am. J. Occup. Ther. 2022;76(5):7605205030. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2022.049320. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    9. Case C, Dalley T. Arteterapie s dětmi. Praha: Portál 1995: 175 s.
    10. Durrani H. Sensory-based relational art therapy approach (S-BRATA): A framework for art therapy with children with ASD. Art. Therapy. 2021;38(2):78-86. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2020.1718054. Go to original source...
    11. Martínez-Vérez V, Gil-Ruíz P, Domínguez-Lloria S. Interventions through art therapy and music therapy in autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, language disorders, and learning disabilities in pediatric-aged children: A systematic review. Children. 2024;11(6):706. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11060706. Go to original source...
    12. Van Lith T, Stallings JW, Harris CE. (2017). Discovering good practice for art therapy with children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder: The results of a small scale survey. Arts. Psychother. 2017;54:78-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2017.01.002. Go to original source...
    13. Hyman SL, Levy SE, Myers SM. Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Pediatrics. 2020;145(1):e20193447. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-3447. Go to original source...
    14. Lhotová M, Perout E. Arteterapie v souvislostech. Praha: Portál 2018: 200 s.
    15. Vogel S W, Mullins K L, Kumar S. Art therapy for children and adolescents with autism: a systematic review. Int. J. Art. Ther. 2025;30(2):113-122. https://doi.org/10.1080/17454832.2024.2343373. Go to original source...
    16. Eliášová S, Slavík J, Slavíková V. Dívej se, tvoř a povídej! Artefiletika pro předškoláky a mladší školáky. Praha: Portál 2019: 200 s.
    17. Slavík J. Od výrazu k dialogu ve výchově: Artefiletika. Praha: Karolinum 1997: 199 s.
    18. Slavík J. Umění zážitku, zážitek umění: Teorie a praxe artefiletiky (1. díl). Praha: Pedagogická fakulta Univerzity Karlovy 2001: 282 s.
    19. Hanák P. Arteterapie a artefiletika - Jedinečností uměleckého výrazu k inkluzivnímu vzdělávání. In: Imuza.cz [online]. [cit. 11-19-2025]. Available from: https://www.imuza.upol.cz/site/index.php/2018/08/30/arteterapie-a-artefiletika/.
    20. Potměšilová P, Sobková P. Arteterapie a artefiletika nejen pro sociální pedagogy. Olomouc: Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci 2012: 111 s.
    21. Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ. 2021; 372: 71. http://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    22. Komzáková M, Slavík J. Využití artefiletiky a arteterapie při prevenci. In: Jeclička R, et al. Poruchy socializace u dětí a dospívajících: prevence životních selhání a krizová intervence. Praha: Grada 2015: s. 262-303.
    23. Komzáková M, Sochor P, Slavíková M, et al. Výzkumná zpráva z akčního výzkumu projektu Podpora uměleckého vzdělávání pro rovné příležitosti. Plzeň: Západočeská univerzita v Plzni 2020: 107 s. [cit. 19-03-2026] Available from: https://databaze.opvvv.msmt.cz/presenters/download/1176.
    24. Chou W-C, Lee G T, Feng H. Use of a behavioral art program to improve social skills of two children with autism spectrum disorders. Educ. Train. Dev. Disabil. 2016;51(2):195-210. Go to original source...
    25. D'Amico M, Lalonde C. The effectiveness of art therapy for teaching social skills to children with autism spectrum disorder. Art. Therapy. 2017;34(4):176-182. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2017.1384678. Go to original source...
    26. Epp KM. Outcome-based evaluation of a social skills program using art therapy and group therapy for children on the autism spectrum. Children & Schools. 2008;30(1):27-36. https://doi.org/10.1093/cs/30.1.27. Go to original source...
    27. Koo J, Thomas E. Art therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder in India. Art. Therapy. 2019; 36(4): 209-214. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2019.1644755. Go to original source...
    28. Schleien SJ, Mustonen T, Rynders JE. Participation of children with autism and nondisabled peers in a cooperatively structured community art program. J. Autism. Devl. Disord. 1995;25(4):397-413. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02179375. Go to original source...
    29. Schweizer C, Knorth EJ, van Yperen TA, et al. Evaluating art therapy processes with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Development and testing of two observation instruments for evaluating children's and therapists' behaviour. Arts. Psychother. 2019; 66, Article 101578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2019.101578. Go to original source...
    30. Kaedbey M, Servant A, Philibert-Lignières G, et al. Inclusive art-based programs for children and adolescents on the autism spectrum: A scoping review focusing on social inclusion and socioemotional outcomes. Rev. J. Autism. Devl. Disord. 2025; 1-30. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-025-00516-y. Go to original source...

    Return to the content


    Pediatrics for Practice

    Madam, Sir,
    please be aware that the website on which you intend to enter, not the general public because it contains technical information about medicines, including advertisements relating to medicinal products. This information and communication professionals are solely under §2 of the Act n.40/1995 Coll. Is active persons authorized to prescribe or supply (hereinafter expert).
    Take note that if you are not an expert, you run the risk of danger to their health or the health of other persons, if you the obtained information improperly understood or interpreted, and especially advertising which may be part of this site, or whether you used it for self-diagnosis or medical treatment, whether in relation to each other in person or in relation to others.

    I declare:

    1. that I have met the above instruction
    2. I'm an expert within the meaning of the Act n.40/1995 Coll. the regulation of advertising, as amended, and I am aware of the risks that would be a person other than the expert input to these sites exhibited

    No
    Yes

    If your statement is not true, please be aware
    that brings the risk of danger to their health or the health of others.