Art as medicine for children with disability in Nigeria

Art medicine is the creative and expressive application of art as natural health therapies. This book reveals the importance of creative arts as a valuable tool in healing. It creates awareness of the usefulness of arts beyond aesthetics. The book also discusses the positive impact of partaking in the processes of arts and the health outcomes, especially on children with disabilities. To achieve this, the author highlights how to determine the level of relationship between the concept of disability in children, arts and interventions and the extent expressive arts therapy can help children with disability to heal, adjust, adapt and be integrated into the society. It explores the relationship between the teaching and learning of arts and its acceptance as an effective means of helping children with disabilities in Nigeria. The author tried to correct the misconception that arts do not have any connection with health and healing or the well-being and wellness of children with disabilities. He carefully identified different disabilities that are common with children and discussed the origin, types and nature of each and suggest creative therapeutic processes for each- Art medicine.

Autorentext

Kent Onah is one of Nigeria's outstanding artists. He is a masters degree holder and a senior lecturer in painting department, school of art and industrial design, Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, Nigeria where he has taught art since 1991. He is a prolific, multidisciplinary and multimedia studio artist/researcher. Kent is as versed in art education.