title: Arts-based social skills interventions for adolescents with acquired brain injuries: five case reports.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Previous research has demonstrated the value of arts-based programs for adolescents with childhood brain disorder to facilitate social skills and participation. The current study extends this work by examining the feasibility and effectiveness of an arts-based intervention for youth with acquired brain injuries (ABI).
  
  
  METHODS
  A case study approach was used with four adolescent participants and one case control. A battery of quantitative measures were administered four and one week pre-intervention, one week post-intervention, as well six to eight month post-intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Improvements in pragmatic communication skills and social and participation goals were observed across intervention participants. Similar improvements were not seen with the case control participant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results support the use of an arts-based intervention for youth with ABI to facilitate social skills and participation. Findings also highlight the need for more sensitive measures of these skills for these youth. Suggested guidelines for program implementation are provided.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario , Canada .
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Agnihotri
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colantonio
authors.forename: Helene
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Polatajko
authors.forename: Deb
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wiseman-Hakes
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rumney
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keightley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001155:Art Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003142:Communication; D004644:Emotions; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D058992:Social Participation; D012944:Social Support