Using creative arts to help children cope with altered body image.
A specific aspect of development to be considered when planning expressive activities for hospitalized children is the potential and actual effects of hospitalization and illness on their developing body image. Therapeutic activities which address this stressful issue can be an integral part of the care of pediatric patients. This manuscript highlights several categories of expressive activities to help illustrate the way in which these activities can be used individually and with groups of children for therapeutic intervention when dealing with body image issues. Case studies are presented.