Art therapy at its finest! Teachers and instructors can choose from more than 50 art projects, all designed for learning-disabled, physically challenged, socially and emotionally disturbed, and sensory-impaired children.

The Special Artist's Handbook: Art Activities and Adaptive Aids for Handicapped Students is a unique reference manual that was written specifically for art teachers of exceptional children and teachers who have children with handicapping conditions in their classrooms. With step-by-step instructions and ideas for tailoring each project to specific student needs, this text takes the guesswork out of complex lessons so teachers can get right to work.

The book is divided into four sections:

"The Handicaps" familiarizes teachers with characteristic traits of the handicaps as a prerequisite to selecting appropriate projects and teaching methodologies.

"Art Activities" presents student-centered activities designed as lesson units appropriate to both handicapped and non-handicapped students. Specific adaptations and recommendations for each exceptionality appear with every unit. Plans also indicate special requirements and advance teacher preparation.

"Adaptive Aids and Materials" presents easy-to-construct devices that may enable students to compensate for missing skills or cope with physical losses.

"The Art Classroom" looks at the classroom environment. This section focuses on removal of possible barriers, providing accessibility to materials and activity centers, and safety concerns.

Susan Rodriguez is an artist, author, and educator. She holds a BFA and a M.Ed. from Tyler School of Art at Temple University. She is a strong advocate for multicultural appreciation and a consultant for inclusionary education, art education, and museum appreciation. Rodriguez is a practicing artist and has exhibited her work regionally.

She is on the University of the Arts faculty as the Graduate Art Education Admissions Coordinator. Previously, she taught with the School District of Philadelphia for 30 years. She was named the 1996 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year and was awarded the Disney American Teacher Award in Visual Arts as well as the nationally acclaimed, Milken Family Foundation Outstanding Educator Award.

The Special Artist's Handbook was written for children in grades K–12.

Author — Susan Rodriguez. Photographs by Paul Blumenthal.

Paperback. 288 pages. 9" × 12" (23 cm × 30 cm).