The experiences of art therapists in training and implementing digital art therapy with clients with physical disabilities using augmentative and alternative communication

Digital art therapy implements technology-based media in artmaking as part of the therapeutic process. Digital art therapy may be particularly beneficial for certain populations, such as clients with physical disabilities who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) aids, for whom traditional art materials are often not adapted to meet their accessibility needs. While there has been considerable growth in the integration of digital tools in art therapy in recent years, little empirical work has been conducted in general, or with this population in particular. The current study examined 11 art therapists' perceptions of digital art therapy for clients with a range of physical disabilities who communicate using digital AAC, before and after they engaged in a 3-session training program and experimented working with these tools with their clients. Semi-structured interviews were conducted before training and after experimentation, and then subjected to thematic analysis. Six central therapeutic qualities of digital art emerged from the findings: accessibility and independence, expansion and precision of expression, changes in dynamics with the clients’ social environment, impact on the Therapeutic Relationship, existence of an Art Product at the End of the Creative Process, and enjoyment leading to activity and regulation. The difficulties included technical challenges, issues in maintaining the therapeutic setting, and reduction of the creative space. The therapists' overall perceptions of digital art therapy before and after training are presented. The discussion centers on the potential of digital art to expand the expressive range of clients with physical disabilities using AAC, as well as the need for training and adaptations of art therapy to this population. • Art therapists' views on digital art therapy for AAC users with physical disability • Traditional psychotherapy and art materials are often inaccessible to this population • Six therapeutic qualities emerged including accessibility and social dynamic changes • Digital art enabled independence and expanded emotional expression for clients • Training and usage shifted therapists from ambivalence to embracing digital art tools