On measuring the subtleties of change: a reflection on small-scale evaluation in arts therapies work with adults with learning disabilities

ABSTRACT

Arts therapists within the field of learning disabilities have long struggled to record the subtle and often silent changes that take place for their vulnerable clients in the course of treatment. In this article, I reflect on outcome evaluation and the challenge of maintaining curiosity with clients whose emotional intelligence can appear hidden, and where a parallel process of worthlessness can pervade the work of arts therapists. I briefly outline possible forms of inquiry, and describe the conversations within the arts therapies team that I am part of that led to the development of carer focus groups to capture a perception of change in clients resulting from treatment across modality for clients of all ability. I note how this approach enables collaboration with health workers and colleagues as witnesses, and the place of broad, collaborative conversations as evidence.

KEYWORDS:

• Art therapy
• arts therapies
• learning disability
• intellectual disability
• evaluation
• curiosity
• collaboration

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Acknowledgements

The Arts Therapies Team within the Community Learning Disability Team at NHS Ayrshire & Arran comprise: David Hamilton, Senior Music Therapist; Phyl Fleming, Music Therapy Assistant; Simon Marshall, Art Psychotherapist and supported by Dominic Jarrett, Research & Information Officer.

Notes on contributor

Simon Marshall is Principal Arts Therapist at NHS Lothian and Art Therapist in the Community Learning Disabilities Services at NHS Ayrshire & Arran. He is also course tutor on the introduction to Art Psychotherapy at the University of Glasgow.