ABSTRACT
The healing and therapeutic power of art has also been known for a long time. It was no coincidence that the ancient Greeks made the noble Apollo both the god of music, dance, and poetry and the healer of physical and moral illness. During the past several decades, much evidence has accumulated both from informal observations and from systematic studies regarding the positive impact of the arts in education and therapy. There is already a very substantial body of literature on the use of drama, creative movement, music, visual arts, and other art forms with children and youth with special needs. There are some schools and other psychoeducational programs in which the arts constitute an important part of the curriculum. The main purpose of this chapter is to call attention to the rich and valuable resources that are provided by the arts in fostering normal development and overcoming behavioral problems in emotionally disturbed and socially maladjusted youth.
