Art Therapy Becomes Real Evidence of Intellectual Disability

SIGI (April 7, 2021) - Art therapy activities are one of the most popular activities for beneficiaries who take part in the residential-based ATENSI program from the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs through the "Nipotowe" Disability Center in Palu. Art therapy is not just expressing one's feelings through art, but also helping a person explore themselves in overcoming the problems they face.

"I draw the earth," said Asbar, an art therapy participant when explaining his drawing. When asked, why draw the earth? "Because the earth is currently suffering from COVID-19, so wear a mask," explained Asbar. Through his drawing, Asbar hopes that everyone will wear masks to avoid COVID-19.

"I draw heaven," said Fitriani who was greeted with warm laughter from her friends participating in the art therapy. The Social Worker also asked what made Fitriani draw heaven. She replied, "It comes from the heart". Her sincere answer moved other intellectual disability friends and social workers to tears.

For intellectual disabilities, art therapy activities such as drawing can also be an effort to increase independence and improve the family's economy.

"Besides training the motor and cognitive of intellectual disabilities, art therapy can also be developed towards empowerment," said Syaiful Samad, Head of the "Nipotowe" Disability Center in Palu.

He also said that the works of intellectual disabilities can be applied to various media such as tote bags, tumblers, clothes, and so on so that people can appreciate that they can be empowered.

Syaiful explained that the limited intelligence of intellectual disabilities resulted in many intellectual disabilities, on average, being unable to continue their education. As a result, they have difficulty getting jobs and are vulnerable to being trapped in a cycle of poverty.

Therefore, the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia through the "Nipotowe" Disability Center in Palu in implementing art therapy for intellectual disabilities, helps facilitate the creation of works of intellectual disabilities through art therapy to become an artistic value that is worth selling.

"Through the works of intellectual disability, people can be educated to understand what intellectual disability is so that people can realize, respect, and accept the limitations they have," said Syaiful.