Bibliotherapy with Children with Neurodiverse Profiles: A Literature Review

Author

Jessica Piltch-LoebFollow

Date of Award

5-20-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Lee Ann Thill

Abstract

Expressive arts therapy interventions are continuing to gain recognition as a means of healing for individuals with a wide range of diagnoses. Bibliotherapy is a particularly under researched modality of the expressive arts, leaving ample opportunity for future research on both reading and writing interventions. While bibliotherapy may not be a widespread subject of study, preliminary research shows that reading and writing therapies can promote emotional well-being for individuals dealing with mental illness. Children with neurodiverse profiles (NP) are more likely to be diagnosed with psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, than neurotypical children. Although previous research has suggested that bibliotherapy is an effective form of treatment for individuals with these diagnoses, the impact of reading and writing therapies on children with NP is significantly understudied. Given the correlation between NP and mental illness, the positive effects of bibliotherapy for individuals with mental illness could possibly translate to children with NP. However, it is crucial to consider the individual needs and learning styles of individuals with NP, such as their struggles and limitations in reading, writing, language, and processing. This literature review examines relevant research on three topics: the relationship between NP and mental illness, bibliotherapy as treatment for mental illness, and limitations and considerations of reading and writing for children with NP, in order to further understand how bibliotherapy could be used with children with NP.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Piltch-Loeb, Jessica, "Bibliotherapy with Children with Neurodiverse Profiles: A Literature Review" (2023). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 648.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/648