Therapeutic Mosaics for the Disabled
by Linda Vaden-Martin (original, unedited text)
The art of mosaics is known to be therapeutic on multiple levels for adults and children, enhancing quality of life for individuals and the community as a whole. As an occupational therapist (OT) working in a physical rehabilitation hospital, I have a unique opportunity to utilize mosaics as a therapeutic activity with people who have been functionally challenged by devastating illness.
Safety is always the first consideration. Because tesserae can be sharp, I pre-process ceramic tiles and dishes ahead of time and make adjustment cuts into a clear bag. As a safety precaution, stained glass and mirror are limited. When thinset is used, I mix it away from the work area. Goggles, masks, and gloves are used when appropriate. Patients must be alert enough to safely participate, no patient is ever left unattended, and gait belts are used when standing.
Activities are designed to target specific challenges, For instance, with stroke patients, tesserae are placed on the table in such a way as to encourage standing and reaching across the body with the affected arm. This helps improve balance, shoulder and postural stability, weight shifting, midline orientation, fine/gross motor coordination, and overall functional endurance. Placing the tiles to fit the design facilitates increased neurological reorganization, perceptual and spatial orientation, following directions, and attention to task.
Direct and indirect methods both provide valuable therapeutic opportunities. Patients who have lost the use of an arm benefit best from using the direct method. The back buttering technique is modified to "dip" the tesserae into the thin set using their one hand. This remedial approach facilitates empowerment in a potentially devastating situation, presenting new possibilities and renewed self confidence that can be transferred to daily living skills, such as getting dressed with the use of only one arm. The indirect method supports bilateral integration. Holding the tile in one hand and dabbing on the adhesive with the other develops simultaneous coordination of both sides of the body to perform a smooth movement and organizes signals from one side of the brain to the other.
At first it might look like one is simply making a mosaic, but with closer inspection you can appreciate the complexities of the activity on a physical and neurological level. One stroke survivor actually refers to himself as a mosaic, saying, "I was broken by a stroke, but have now reassembled the pieces into something lovely."
Linda Vaden-Martin is a mosaic artist and licensed occupational therapist living in California. For more information about her art or Therapeutic Mosaics and workshops, please visit www.lindavaden-martin.com
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