ICEI Argumentative Essay
Being in an Internship at the ICEI (Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative) program at Westfield State University has allowed me to have a better perspective on what people with disabilities could potentially benefit from. ICEI (Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative) is a program that attends to people with disabilities aged 18-21, from Westfield and nearby public school districts. Art Therapy is one of the programs that is offered through ICEI and if it could be implemented correctly, I could see it being extremely beneficial to students of the disabled population as well as neuro-typical students. Art Therapy has been shown to mutually benefit the student, peer, and teacher. It has also been an amazing way to open the door for verbal/non-verbal
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There are an infinite number of ways to use AT and that is what makes it so unique and popular. When it is so hard to express yourself through words sometimes, it may be easier to pick up a pencil and draw an angry face, instead of yelling or screaming. This familiar image can portray your emotions without forcing you to utter a word, or turn your smile upside down. It is easy to see how AT could be extremely beneficial to people with disabilities because they often have a hard time communicating or difficulty socializing. Positive modifications to poor/destructive behavior can be suggested through AT. Being creative can “promote attention, social interaction, and active participation (Rafferty-Bugher, E., Brown, J., Hastings, B., Arndt, C., & Hesse, M., 2016).” A few different Art therapy techniques that we have used in ICEI sessions involve: coloring mandalas, making stress balls, and painting. These techniques can aid people with disabilities and without, due to the foundation in art (world-wide language) and a focus on inclusion. Tactile, visual, and auditory stimulants, can be exploited in AT to achieve desired results. Playing with clay/playdough in your hands gives you something to focus on and allows you to take out your frustration, anxiety, or over-excitement on something else. With distracting behavior hushed, strives in communication and learning can be
There are an infinite number of ways to use AT and that is what makes it so unique and popular. When it is so hard to express yourself through words sometimes, it may be easier to pick up a pencil and draw an angry face, instead of yelling or screaming. This familiar image can portray your emotions without forcing you to utter a word, or turn your smile upside down. It is easy to see how AT could be extremely beneficial to people with disabilities because they often have a hard time communicating or difficulty socializing. Positive modifications to poor/destructive behavior can be suggested through AT. Being creative can “promote attention, social interaction, and active participation (Rafferty-Bugher, E., Brown, J., Hastings, B., Arndt, C., & Hesse, M., 2016).” A few different Art therapy techniques that we have used in ICEI sessions involve: coloring mandalas, making stress balls, and painting. These techniques can aid people with disabilities and without, due to the foundation in art (world-wide language) and a focus on inclusion. Tactile, visual, and auditory stimulants, can be exploited in AT to achieve desired results. Playing with clay/playdough in your hands gives you something to focus on and allows you to take out your frustration, anxiety, or over-excitement on something else. With distracting behavior hushed, strives in communication and learning can be