Date of Award
Spring 5-5-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
MA - Master of Arts
Department
Expressive Therapies
Advisor
Meg Chang
Abstract
The following literature review was composed to push for further research in the utilization of family art therapy in the homes of adopted individuals diagnosed with childhood post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and attention deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD). In this paper, the term family is used to reflect the adoptive constellation in the home of which services were provided. This paper begins with a look at the adoption experience, highlighting the trauma of separation for adoptees. In a table, observed behaviors and symptoms of ADHD and PTSD presented by clients are documented and compared. As symptoms overlap, this paper then addresses the therapeutic properties of art creating for the observed behaviors as well as underlying thoughts, emotions and attachment issues of which behaviors may be rooted. To aid these children and their adoptive parent(s), a deeper understanding of the intergenerational influences in the home is investigated. Examples of family art therapy are discussed, as well as limitations in the literature. The paper will conclude with a discussion of the author’s journey of entering adoptive homes.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Tormey, Grace, "Adopted with Diagnosis: A Literature Review" (2020). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 340.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/340
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