Therapeutic Arts Services (TAS)
For Children and Youth with Autism and Special Needs
At Therapeutic Arts Services (TAS), we provide children and youth with a creative, stimulating, and healing environment where they can recharge, express themselves, and have fun.
Our sessions use the arts as a natural bridge to help children build friendships, develop social skills, and process their feelings — all while having a great time.
TAP Activities
Visual Arts
Children explore painting, drawing, and working with clay.
They experiment with different materials and learn basic art techniques, with a focus on open-ended, expressive creation.
Benefits:
- Fine motor skill development (hand strength, hand-eye coordination, observation)
- Creativity, self-expression, spontaneity
- Social interaction and teamwork
- Grounding, focus, and relaxation
- Enjoyment and pride in art-making
Cooking
Children learn basic kitchen skills while preparing simple, healthy, nut-free, and casein/gluten-free meals.
With instructor support, they practice washing, cutting, stirring, and using the oven safely.
Past recipes include: pizzas, salads, and cookies.
Benefits:
- Kitchen safety and nutrition education
- Expanding food tastes and dietary choices
- Hand-eye coordination and practical life skills
- Taking turns, listening to the body, socializing
Crafts
Craft activities involve structured projects with easy-to-follow steps, leading to creative and useful finished products — like kites, Christmas ornaments, greeting cards, or mini Zen gardens.
Benefits:
- Building manual dexterity and observation skills
- Creative expression with structure
- Focus, concentration, and a calming experience
- Sense of accomplishment and boosted self-esteem
- Opportunities for group interaction and sharing
Photography
Children use simple digital cameras to capture theme-based photos, share their work with peers, and learn to observe the world in new ways.
Benefits:
- Visual observation and manual skills
- Introductory technology use
- Language development and descriptive communication
- Turn-taking and social skills
Storytelling, Drama, Puppetry
Children engage with stories by listening, acting them out, or creating their own — either live or with puppets.
Benefits:
- Language expansion and creative storytelling
- Emotional expression through characters and narratives
- Social interaction and spontaneous communication
- Developing imagination, reading interest, and confidence
Movement, Dance, and Music
Through dance, music, and movement games, children enjoy full-body expression, rhythm, and musical exploration.
Our dedicated music instructor leads these fun, energetic sessions.
Benefits:
- Body awareness and coordination
- Stretching, movement freedom, and physical fitness
- Music appreciation and rhythm recognition
- Language development through songs and musical storytelling
- Respect for personal and others' physical space
- Joy and celebration of the body through music and dance