ABSTRACT Background: Learning Disabled (LD) adults commonly experience barriers accessing the same services as non-disabled adults. Communication issues may also contribute to difficulties forming relationships, leading to increased loneliness and isolation. Art therapy groups can help to counter social isolation, providing opportunities to creatively explore challenges within a therapeutic relationship. Context: This paper describes the development of online art therapy during the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Using social media, an online group was developed from an existing studio group for LD clients at risk of isolation. Participants continue to take part and have consented to their images and viewpoints being used. Approach: Primarily influenced by studio models of art therapy, the original approach used is an enabling, art-based approach. After transitioning into online art therapy, art making remains central to the process and intersectionality and the role of touch are explored. Outcomes: Participants of the online group consistently engage, sharing creative responses via the social media platform, WhatsApp. Ongoing participation is perceived as a positive sign and members predominantly agree the adaptation is helpful, however, challenges gathering feedback have arisen. Conclusions: The use of online art therapy in an accessible format enables the group to continue accessing support during the pandemic. The variety of communication methods available on WhatsApp allows participants to remain included. Implications for research: Further research is required to establish whether this approach could be used as a template for other LD services and other client groups. Plain-language summary This paper describes the introduction of an online art therapy group to support young Learning Disabled adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Online sessions were adapted from an existing studio art therapy group, in which five members met fortnightly in an artist community, with sessions facilitated by two art therapists and a support worker. Prior to the pandemic, Learning Disabled adults likely already had fewer opportunities to socialise. As a result, they may experience greater loneliness and social isolation. Communication issues and difficulties using technology also contribute to their widespread digital exclusion. In an ever-increasing digital era resulting from the pandemic, Learning Disabled adults are at higher risk of mental health issues. Hosting online sessions using the familiar and accessible social media platform, WhatsApp, allows our existing structure and aims to remain largely the same. This creates some sense of consistency in surreal and challenging circumstances. We describe the theoretical approaches which influenced our original model before outlining perspectives which inform and shape our online work. The practicalities of setting up the online group are summarised and online sessions are described with reference to artworks, emerging themes and the benefits and challenges which have arisen. Participants’ views are included, with our observations around the challenges of obtaining feedback with this client group. In conclusion, this paper describes how our approach and the creation of a virtual art therapy studio in absence of an actual studio environment may allow Learning Disabled clients to remain included, connected and supported during a global crisis. More accessible evaluation strategies are needed to establish how effective this model is and further projects may suggest whether this online approach could be replicated with other groups, both LD and other client groups.

中文翻译：

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使用 WhatsApp 开发一个在线艺术治疗小组，用于学习残疾年轻人

摘要背景：学习障碍 (LD) 成年人在获得与非残疾成年人相同的服务时通常会遇到障碍。沟通问题也可能导致难以建立关系，从而增加孤独感和孤立感。艺术治疗小组可以帮助对抗社会孤立，提供机会创造性地探索治疗关系中的挑战。背景：本文描述了 2019 年新型冠状病毒 (COVID-19) 大流行期间在线艺术疗法的发展。使用社交媒体，从现有的工作室群组为面临隔离风险的 LD 客户开发了一个在线群组。参与者继续参与并同意使用他们的图像和观点。方法：主要受艺术治疗工作室模型的影响，使用的原始方法是一种使能，基于艺术的方法。过渡到在线艺术治疗后，艺术创作仍然是过程和交叉性的核心，并探索了触摸的作用。结果：在线小组的参与者持续参与，通过社交媒体平台 WhatsApp 分享创造性的回应。持续参与被认为是一个积极的迹象，成员们大多同意适应是有帮助的，但是，收集反馈的挑战已经出现。结论：以可访问的形式使用在线艺术疗法使该小组能够在大流行期间继续获得支持。WhatsApp 上提供的各种通信方式允许参与者保持参与。研究意义：需要进一步研究以确定这种方法是否可以用作其他 LD 服务和其他客户群的模板。简明语言摘要 本文介绍了在 COVID-19 大流行期间为年轻的学习障碍成年人提供支持的在线艺术治疗小组的介绍。在线课程改编自一个现有的工作室艺术治疗小组，其中五名成员每两周在一个艺术家社区见面，会议由两名艺术治疗师和一名支持人员协助。在大流行之前，学习障碍成年人的社交机会可能已经减少。因此，他们可能会经历更大的孤独和社会孤立。通信问题和使用技术的困难也导致了他们广泛的数字排斥。在大流行导致的不断增长的数字时代，学习障碍的成年人患心理健康问题的风险更高。使用熟悉且可访问的社交媒体平台 WhatsApp 举办在线会议，使我们现有的结构和目标基本保持不变。这在超现实和具有挑战性的环境中创造了某种一致性。在概述影响和塑造我们在线工作的观点之前，我们描述了影响我们原始模型的理论方法。总结了建立在线小组的实用性，并结合艺术作品、新兴主题以及出现的好处和挑战描述了在线会议。包括参与者的意见，以及我们对获得该客户群反馈的挑战的观察。综上所述，本文描述了我们的方法和在没有实际工作室环境的情况下创建虚拟艺术治疗工作室如何让学习障碍客户在全球危机期间保持参与、联系和支持。需要更易于访问的评估策略来确定该模型的有效性，进一步的项目可能会建议这种在线方法是否可以复制到其他团体，包括 LD 和其他客户团体。