Art & Self Care

a workshop for adults with developmental disabilities

Created and Presented by Dr. Monica Boomgard

Purpose:
This six-session 'Art and Self-Care' workshop for adults with developmental disabilities integrates mindfulness and creative arts to support emotional well-being and stress management. The series is designed to provide practical tools that cultivate resilience, self-awareness, and emotional regulation in a safe, inclusive setting.

Objective:

  • Introduce mindfulness and meditation techniques tailored to diverse abilities
  • Foster a sense of calm, connection, and empowerment among participants
  • Facilitate self-expression and emotional exploration through artmaking
  • Create a replicable model for wellness-focused programming at organizations that support and nurture individuals with developmental disabilities

Structure:

  • 6 one-hour sessions held onsite at the sponsoring organization
  • Weekly sessions, scheduled in collaboration with organization staff to ensure accessibility
  • Activities include mindfulness exercises, guided art-making, and group reflection
    • Example 1: **Mindfulness Practice**: Guided visualization for stress release
    • Example 2: **Art Activity**: Emotion mask-making to explore and express emotions.
    • Example 3 ** Reflection**: Use the compassion stone as a reminder to practice self-kindness.

Outcomes:

  • Increased emotional self-regulation and mindfulness awareness
  • Improved sense of personal well-being and community engagement
  • Proven foundation for future wellness-based programming

Assessment & Feedback:

  • Participants will complete a simple 1-page Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (pre-, mid-, and post-series)
  • A one-time demographics survey will also be collected
  • Optional reflections from staff participants to inform future offerings

Workshop Facilitator:

Dr. Monica Boomgard’s career in education spans almost 30 years. Having earned an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from University of San Francisco, she is currently an adjunct professor of Special Education at California State University Northridge and California State University Dominguez Hills. A National Board Certified Teacher, her passions are teacher education and advocating inclusive practices that ultimately serve individuals with developmental disabilities and those who support and nurture them. Dr. Boomgard is also a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT300) teaching modfied yoga practices for individuals with physical limitations and facilitating private meditation and mindfulness groups.

For more information or to schedule this workshop for your organization, please feel welcome to EMAIL.