Adaptive art program doesn't paint all students with a broad  brush

All students - no matter their ability or disability - can benefit from art classes.

That's the concept behind an adaptive art class for some of the most disabled RCS students launched in the High School this year by art Teacher Binnie Chriss. The class benefits students in the school's Life Skills Class - a group of students who have varying conditions from autism to severe cognitive problems.

Adaptive art views the art process as being equally accessible to all individuals regardless of their emotional, intellectual or physical capacities. In eliciting art from these children, emphasis is laid upon both the educational and therapeutic aspects of the art experience, Chriss told the Board of Education on Monday during a presentation on her class.

Through her class, Chriss said the students learn and/or practice:

• Organization skills
• Communication techniques
• Memorization - such as supply locations
• Fine motor skill usage
• Following directions   
• Controlling emotions
• Expressing emotions through art

"The severity of these disabilities requires that we rework every area of lesson planning and classroom presentation in order for these students to work on skills that come naturally to most of us," Chriss said.

Previously, she said, the students were assigned to the regular  studio art class, during which they weren't receiving the full benefits of art education, or were not assigned an art class at all

“The arts are extremely important for all students. The activities help to promote a level of non verbal and verbal expression,” said Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Diane Albano, Ed.D. “Through this program, we are teaching students to access their creativity and to express their feelings through art.”