A Conceptual Framework for Nature-Based Art Therapy Based on a Neurological Approach for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Keywords:
Nature-based art therapy, Autism spectrum disorder, Neurodevelopment, Neuroplasticity, Sensory integration, Emotional regulation, Enriched environmentAbstract
Purpose: The present study aimed to develop a comprehensive conceptual framework for nature-based art therapy grounded in neurological mechanisms to enhance emotional, sensory, cognitive, and social functioning in children with autism spectrum disorder.
Methods and Materials: This study was designed as a theoretical–applied research using a descriptive–analytical approach. Data were collected through a systematic review of Persian and international scientific literature in the domains of art therapy, autism spectrum disorder, nature-based interventions, and neuroscience. Relevant sources were identified using databases including SID, MagIran, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. Inclusion criteria consisted of direct relevance to the study topic, scientific credibility, peer-reviewed status, and conceptual or empirical contribution. After screening and selection, the data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Key themes were extracted and categorized into three primary domains: art therapy processes, nature as an enriched therapeutic environment, and neurological mechanisms underlying intervention effects. Finally, conceptual inference was employed to integrate these domains into a coherent framework.
Findings: The analysis revealed that nature-based art therapy operates through a dynamic interaction between expressive artistic processes, enriched natural environments, and neurobiological mechanisms. The findings suggest that engagement in structured art activities within natural settings facilitates sensory–motor integration, emotional regulation, and attention restoration, which are mediated by processes such as neuroplasticity, modulation of limbic activity, and enhancement of executive functioning. The integration of these components is inferred to produce synergistic effects, leading to improvements in adaptive behavior, cognitive flexibility, emotional stability, and social interaction in children with autism spectrum disorder.
Conclusion: By emphasizing the interplay between experiential, environmental, and neurological factors, the model highlights the potential of nature-based art therapy as a holistic and developmentally responsive strategy for enhancing functional outcomes in affected children.
Downloads
References
Abramsky, R., Alkhadem, Z., Alsup, S., Anwar, T., Arroyo, M., Bonfanti, C., Boomsma, M. F., Boswinkel, V., Cabacungan, E., Chang, T., Cimino, C., Cohen, S., Cuzino, I. A., Vries, L. d., Demšar, J., DiPietro, J., Dündar, N. O., Engür, D., Fontana, C., . . . Zengi, I. (2023). Proceedings of the 14th International Newborn Brain Conference: Long-Term Outcome Studies, Developmental Care, Palliative Care, Ethical Dilemmas, and Challenging Clinical Scenarios in Neonatal Neurology. Journal of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, 16(s1), S103-S118. https://doi.org/10.3233/npm-239006
Al‐Beltagi, M. (2023). Pre-Autism: What a Paediatrician Should Know About Early Diagnosis of Autism. World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics, 12(5), 273-294. https://doi.org/10.5409/wjcp.v12.i5.273
Alecrim, F. M., Silva, C. A. d., Maria Izabelly Justino da, S., Tenorio, S. L. P., Germana Rafaela Pontes de Carvalho, C., Ana Márcia Tenório de Souza, C., Nascimento, G. C. d., Wily Rogê Barbosa de Almeida, F., Pimentel, C. M. M., Carvalho, L. d. L., Oliveira, E. d., & Ozarlan Michel Pereira de, O. (2024). The Influence of Gut Microbiota on Neurodevelopment in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autism Spectrum Disorder): A Systematic Review of the Literature. International Journal of Health Science, 4(99), 1-30. https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1594992414115
Álvarez-Mejía, D., Rodas, J. A., & Leon-Rojas, J. E. (2025). From Womb to Mind: Prenatal Epigenetic Influences on Mental Health Disorders. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(13), 6096. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26136096
Ashmawi, N. S., & Hammoda, M. A. (2022). Early Prediction and Evaluation of Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.23465
Chilipweli, P., Manyiri, M. W., Basinda, N., Kidenya, B. R., Nyanza, E. C., Manji, K., & Ngowi, A. V. (2025). Assessing the Combined Impact of Pesticide Exposure and HIV/ART on Child Neurodevelopment in Eastern and Southern Africa: A Systematic Review. BMC pediatrics, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-05895-z
Donahoe, J. W., & Palmer, D. C. (2022). Acquired Reinforcement: Implications for Autism. American psychologist, 77(3), 439-452. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000970
Dorjee, D. (2024). Conceptualising Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Wellbeing Neurodevelopment: an Integrative Brain Networks Framework. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/7vx45
Feybesse, C., Chokron, S., & Tordjman, S. (2023). Melatonin in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Critical Literature Review. Antioxidants, 12(11), 2017. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12112017
Frasch, M. G., Yoon, B.-J., Helbing, D.-L., Snir, G., Antonelli, M. C., & Bauer, R. (2023). Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Neuro-Immunometabolic Hypothesis of the Developmental Origins. Biology, 12(7), 914. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12070914
Gargot, T., Archambault, D., Chétouani, M., Cohen, D., Johal, W., & Anzalone, S. M. (2022). Automatic Assessment of Motor Impairments in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review. Cognitive Computation, 14(2), 624-659. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12559-021-09940-8
Jiménez-Gómez, A., Nguyen, M. X., & Gill, J. S. (2024). Understanding the Role of AMPA Receptors in Autism: Insights From Circuit and Synapse Dysfunction. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1304300
Joon, P., Kumar, A., & Parle, M. (2021). The Interplay of Protective and Risk Factors Linked to Autism. Journal of Clinical Images and Medical Case Reports, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.52768/2766-7820/1070
Kerna, N. A., Ngwu, D. C., Keke, C. O., Pruitt, K. D., Olaniru, F. O., Jomsky, B. M., Nwafor, B. N., Carsrud, N. D. V., Flores, J. V., Holets, H. M., McKee, D., & Anderson, J. (2024). The Gut-Brain Axis in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Mechanistic Insights, Clinical Implications, and Public Health Strategies. European Journal of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, 2(6), 580-596. https://doi.org/10.59324/ejtas.2024.2(6).53
Kidwell, J. S. (2025). ADHD and Autism in Neurocognitive Mismatch Theory: Distinct Neurodevelopmental Incompatibilities With the Market-Based System. Frontiers in psychology, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1617192
Kim, J., Erice, C., Rohlwink, U. K., & Tucker, E. W. (2022). Infections in the Developing Brain: The Role of the Neuro-Immune Axis. Frontiers in Neurology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2022.805786
Manzo, J., Hernández‐Aguilar, M. E., Toledo‐Cárdenas, M. R., Herrera‐Covarrubias, D., Coria‐Ávila, G. A., Libreros-Jiménez, H. M., Fernández-Cañedo, L., & Ortega-Pineda, L. A. (2025). The Long and Winding Road to Understanding Autism. Neurosci, 6(3), 84. https://doi.org/10.3390/neurosci6030084
Manzotti, A., Panisi, C., Pivotto, M., Vinciguerra, F., Benedet, M., Brazzoli, F., Zanni, S., Comassi, A., Caputo, S., Cerritelli, F., & Chiera, M. (2023). An In‐depth Analysis of the Polyvagal Theory in Light of Current Findings in Neuroscience and Clinical Research. Developmental Psychobiology, 66(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/dev.22450
Mastnak, W. (2020). Music Rhythmic Therapy - A Novel Versatile Add-on Support in Paediatrics. J Pediatr Res Rev Rep, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.47363/jprrr/2020(2)109
Mohammadzadeh, P., Rosenberg, J. B., Vinding, R., Jepsen, J. R. M., Lindberg, U., Følsgaard, N., Sørensen, M., Sulaiman, D. K., Bilenberg, N., Raghava, J. M., Fagerlund, B., Vestergaard, M. B., Pantelis, C., Stokholm, J., Chawes, B., Larsson, H., Glenthøj, B., Bønnelykke, K., Ebdrup, B. H., & Bisgaard, H. (2022). Effects of Prenatal Nutrient Supplementation and Early Life Exposures on Neurodevelopment at Age 10: A Randomised Controlled Trial - The COPSYCH Study Protocol. BMJ open, 12(2), e047706. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047706
Olson, H., Camacho, M. C., Abdurokhmonova, G., Ahmad, S., Chen, E. M., Chung, H., Lorenzo, R. D., Dineen, Á. T., Ganz, M., Licandro, R., Magnain, C., Marrus, N., McCormick, S. A., Rutter, T. M., Wagner, L., Carr, K. W., Zöllei, L., Vaughn, K. A., & Madsen, K. S. (2025). Measuring and Interpreting Individual Differences in Fetal, Infant, and Toddler Neurodevelopment. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 73, 101539. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101539
Panisi, C., & Marini, M. (2022). Dynamic and Systemic Perspective in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Change of Gaze in Research Opens to a New Landscape of Needs and Solutions. Brain Sciences, 12(2), 250. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12020250
Patel, H. (2022). Evaluation of the Brain Stem Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Histogram Analysis in Asd. Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results, 1896-1904. https://doi.org/10.47750/pnr.2022.13.s08.229
Purpura, G., & Contaldo, A. (2023). What Therapy for My Child? Features, Strengths, and Gaps to Fill for the Implementation of Early Autism Interventions. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.109402
Rich, S. D. (2023). Perspective Chapter: Autism Spectrum Disorder Neurophenotype With Preconceptional and Prenatal Alcohol Exposure – A Call for Industry Responsibility in Prevention. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108820
Sarron, E., Pérot, M., Barbezier, N., Delayre‐Orthez, C., Gay‐Queheillard, J., & Anton, P. M. (2020). Early Exposure to Food Contaminants Reshapes Maturation of the Human Brain-Gut-Microbiota Axis. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 26(23), 3145-3169. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v26.i23.3145
Shuid, A. N., Jayusman, P. A., Shuid, N., Ismail, J., Nor, N. K., & Mohamed, I. N. (2021). Association Between Viral Infections and Risk of Autistic Disorder: An Overview. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(6), 2817. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18062817
Suprunowicz, M., Tomaszek, N., Urbaniak, A., Zackiewicz, K., Modzelewski, S., & Waszkiewicz, N. (2024a). Between Dysbiosis, Maternal Immune Activation and Autism: Is There a Common Pathway? Nutrients, 16(4), 549. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16040549
Suprunowicz, M., Tomaszek, N., Urbaniak, A., Zackiewicz, K., Modzelewski, S., & Waszkiewicz, N. (2024b). Between the Mother’s Microflora and the Child’s Autism: Is There a Common Pathway? https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202401.1489.v1
Tagliabue, L., Cerroni, F., Salatiello, R., Ricci, C., Zanchi, S., Monaco, E., Nacinovich, R., Carotenuto, M., & Purpura, G. (2024). Neuro-Psychomotor Intervention in Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders: An Exploratory Study by Using Parent-Report Tools. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 29(1), 86-99. https://doi.org/10.1177/17446295241228635
Varlas, V. (2023). Autism Spectrum Disorder – The Possible Trigger of Pharmacological Interventions Used in Infertility Treatments or During Pregnancy. Farmacia, 71(6), 1109-1119. https://doi.org/10.31925/farmacia.2023.6.1
Yan, Y., & Abdullah, E. (2025). Trends in Multimodal Artificial Intelligence for Autism Research in Children and Adolescents: A Scientometric Study. Journal of Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 36(4), 185-195. https://doi.org/10.5765/jkacap.250041
Zengeler, K. E., & Lukens, J. R. (2020). Inflammation Stresses Out Brain Development. Nature Neuroscience, 24(2), 155-157. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-020-00775-4
Zoccante, L., Marconi, M., Ciceri, M. L., Gagliardoni, S., Gozzi, L. A., Sabaini, S., Gennaro, G. D., & Colizzi, M. (2021). Effectiveness of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Improving Adaptive Behavior and Motor Function in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of clinical medicine, 10(8), 1726. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10081726
Downloads
Published
Submitted
Revised
Accepted
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Faezeh Sadat Hasani Helm (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
