Developmental Items of Human Figure Drawing: Dance/Movement Therapy for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the characteristics of human figure drawing in adults with intellectual disabilities, and to evaluate the developmental items after a 3-month intervention program using dance/movement therapy. The program consisted of 26 sessions lasting 1-h each held twice weekly for 3 months. A group of 30 adults with intellectual disabilities participated. Before and after the program, the Koppitz human figure drawing test was applied to evaluate body knowledge through the developmental items, evaluating elements of the person’s cognitive developmental and maturity. After the intervention, results indicated improved body knowledge in the participants and a significant increase in the scores on the developmental items at the end of the program.