THE USE OF ART THERAPY FOR INCLUSION: A PRACTICAL CASE OF SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL ADAPTATION OF A GIRL WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

Abstract

The relevance of the study is dictated by the need for the systemic development of a mature and resilient Ukrainian society through ensuring full inclusion and supporting the dignity of every citizen, which is critically important amid military challenges. Inclusion is considered not only a humanitarian obligation but a fundamental mechanism of social solidarity that ensures the agency and autonomy of people with disabilities. Ukrainian studies confirm that art therapy is a critically important method for restoring internal resources and the emotional regulation of individuals with Special Educational Needs (SEN). The most challenging aspect of adapting children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) to a fulfilling social life is the combination of physical, psychological (low self-esteem, frustration), and socio-environmental barriers. Goal. The article aims to present a practical case study of the socio-psychological adaptation of a 17-year-old girl with CP and to illustrate the mechanisms of the deep transformation of her worldview using art therapy techniques and an innovative approach to data analysis. Methods. The study is presented as a case study combining group (a three-day self-determination training) and individual (10 consultation sessions) interactions. Art therapy techniques focused on identity and corporeality were actively used («Brilliant Introduction», «Pyramid of Fears», «My Footprint on Earth», «Symptom as an Animal», «Neurographics of the Name»). The key innovation was the use of audio recordings of individual meetings, followed by transcription and text analysis using AI, which provided a new perspective for understanding the dynamics of transformations and allowed for the capturing of vivid moments from the client’s internal world. Main Results and Scientific Novelty. The case analysis demonstrates that art therapy practices, especially those that are body-oriented («My Footprint on Earth») and cognitive-creative («Neurographics of the Name»), provided a powerful psycho-emotional impetus for overcoming the barriers of «otherness» and forming a sense of group belonging («circle of unity»). The participant transitioned from low self-esteem and comparison with others to deep self-forgiveness and the realization of the value of her own imperfection. The internal transformation manifested in a change in the perception of her body from an «enemy» to a unique resource, the formation of self-love as a way of being, and the emergence of a professional mission–creating a community to support other people with disabilities. The «Neurographics of the Name» technique proved to be an effective tool for self-acceptance through the integration of positive and negative traits, while diary keeping reinforced the process of independence from external opinion. The study highlights the effectiveness of applying AI for the qualitative analysis of psychological counseling materials as a tool for in-depth understanding of the worldview of individuals with special educational needs (SEN). This case proves that people with special needs possess special opportunities – to push society toward greater humanity and dignity.