Approaches for Life Story Books

1
Approaches forLife Story Books

• Presented by
• Mary Utter, Case Manager at Good Shepherd LINC
  and private Art Therapist (Artistic Expressions)

2
Workshop Goals

• Introduction to Life Story Books
• Introduction to Art Therapy
• Engagement techniques
• Hands on activity
• Questions and comments

3
What is a Life Story Book?

• Record of a child and young persons experiences,
  relationships, interests
• Can be photos, drawings, awards, lists, video,
  toys, etc.
• Ideally created by the young person or child with
  the support of caregivers, workers, family,
  friends, teachers, etc.
• It is not just a book

4
Benefits of Life Story Books

• Kids in care need help gathering mementos and
  memories of their life, this is a place for them
• Having someone there to help record their
  development/milestones
• A creative way to explore their past, present and
  future
• Flexible
• Helps the child tell their story, communication
  tool

5
Life Story Books, a Requirement

• In the Minimum Standards from DHS
• Low compliance in Foster Care and Residential
  Units in NW region
• Working group at DHS to address need
• Developing Fact Sheets and Training
• Incorporate Life Books into your daily life /
  work plan
• No right way to make one
• Important for all ages

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What is Art Therapy?

• Art Therapy uses the creative process as the
  therapeutic medium
• Art Therapy is about process and product
• It builds on interests, strengths, and resilience
• Is non-threatening and engaging
• Enables difficult issues to be acknowledged

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Techniques for Engagement

• Focus on the child and their current
  circumstances
• Talk with them about creating a Life Story Book
• Explore their interests
• Are they interested in creating a life book?
• Use a variety of materials - pictures, video,
  collect flyers, etc.
• Make it a regular and special event

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Strategies for Addressing Barriers

• Get their interest sparked
• Pick out a book, album or box together
• If the past is difficult, focus on the present
• Important to let the child / young person guide

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Strategies to Deepen Relationships

• Be present-build a bond and trust
• Gauge how directive to be
• Offer options and choice
• Get others involved
• Active listening and reflecting
• Dealing with uncomfortable and overwhelming
  emotions
• Celebrate the positives

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Activity Making a Page

• Use the materials on the table and create a page
  about
• Something that you do when you are feeling
  stressed or tired
• Write, draw, cut, paste, create!
• 5 - 10 minutes

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In Closing

• Life Story Books assist children and young people
  to develop a sense of self in relation to life
  experiences
• Life Books are a Minimum Standard and LAC
  requirement
• Do Life Story Books help children to have a
  better life? Are they in the best interest of
  the child?
• How are you going to make them a priority?

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Questions, Comments, Feedback

• Thank you for attending

13
Resources

• http//www.community.nsw.gov.au/html/foster_care/c
  urrent_lifestory.html. 2005.
• Keefer, B. and Schooler, J.E. Telling the Truth
  to Your Adopted or Foster Child Making Sense of
  the Past, Chapter Nine Tools of Communication
  Between Parents and Children. Bergin Garvey,
  London
• Goodman, D. Seven Reasons Why Children Need a
  Life Book in Schooler, J. and Keefer, B. Mystery
  History Helping Adopted Children Understand the
  Past. Columbus, Ohio Institute for Human
  Services, 1998.
• NSW Department Community Service Out-of-home Care
  Directorate. My Life Story Book. March 2005.
• Fahlberg, V. A Childs Journey through placement.
  1991
• Foster Care Association of WA Inc. Making a Life
  Story Book, Ideas for Foster Parents and Social
  Workers.
• Ryan, T. and Walker, R. Life Story Work a
  practical guide to helping children understand
  their past. 1993.