Art Therapy and Learning Disabilities ─ Don't Guess My Happiness!

In this book Stephanie Bull and Kevin O’Farrell bring together practising clinicians who provide an insight into using contemporary art therapy with people with learning disabilities. The authentic voice of people who have learning disabilities is central to the book, and case examples, snapshots of thoughts, dialogue, photographs and artwork are included to ensure that the subjects' voices are heard.

The book covers:



having a learning disability


loss and bereavement


attachment and separation


infantilisation


fear


powerlessness


self and identity.


This accessible and thought-provoking book is essential reading for anyone involved with people with learning disabilities including art therapists, psychotherapists, counsellors, students and carers.

Sinason, Foreword. O’Farrell, Introduction. Bull, Personalisation and a New Landscape for Learning Disability Services. Part I: Having a Learning Disability. Caven, The Question of What to Say and How to Say it?Part II: Loss. Dee, Loss, Bereavement and Learning Disabilities – A Theoretical Overview. Dee, Shaping Loss. Bull and Shallcross, Leila’s Shunt: "If I Did Not Have the Shunt in My Head I Would Have Been OK".Part III: Attachment and Separation. Storey, Skating in the Dark. Part IV: Infantilisation. Goody, Stuck in Childhood?Part V: Fear. Ashby, The Long Fingers of Fear. Part VI: Powerlessness. Bruckland, "It Makes Me Jump When I Fall Over".Part VII: Self and Identity. Bull, "The Beast Can Scream". O’Farrell, Conclusion.