And you thought you were neglected...

Most us of go through childhood believing our parents did not pay enough attention to us, or play with us enough. But at least we had parents. As the number of children orphaned or abandoned worldwide rises, there have been an increase in concern over their welfare and rights.  Children without parents or loving guardians are vulnerable to neglect, poor health care, and diminished education. Many come to live in institutions where they may experience a host of long-term problems such as: malnutrition, growth retardation, sensory processing difficulties, behavioral and attachment disorders, and also cognitive and language delays (e.g., Rutter, Quinton, & Hill 1990; Judge 1999; Zeanah 2000; Beckett et al. 2002).

In China’s social welfare institutions, one caregiver may be responsible for feeding, bathing, and diapering 10 to 15 children in addition to carrying out many household chores. The children assigned to a caregiver may vary from day to day, making a bond between child and caregiver impossible. Children spend most days lying in cribs or propped in wooden chairs, with little opportunity for stimulation or interaction. 

This lack of quality bonding and permanent and positive role models has extremely negative effects on a child's development, causing issues that can range from delinquency to depression. There have been many attempted solutions but the basic problem is a lack of caretakers. 

Art Therapy is one promising solution that overcomes that issue. Instead of relying on more caretakers, Art Therapy allows each individual child to become their own solution to their problems. Each child is encouraged to look within themselves and discover their identities through art in order to deal with any issues that could happen in life. 

  ^~Anjani