When Big Feelings Disrupt the Classroom: How Art Therapists and Teachers Can Work Together

Classrooms are more than places of academic learning—they are emotional ecosystems where children bring their full selves, including anxiety, anger, sadness, or fears. When a child struggles to regulate emotions, it can affect not only their own learning but also the classroom environment. Teachers often find themselves managing emotional outbursts without the training or support to address underlying needs. That’s where collaboration with art therapists becomes essential for teachers and school staff. By working together, teachers and art therapist professionals can create emotionally supportive environments that help children thrive both emotionally and academically.

• What are some age-appropriate behavioral difficulties in school-age children?
• How can teachers spot problematic behavior in students?
• What are the symptoms of ADHD in school-aged children?
• How can educators support parents when a behavioral issue comes to light?
• Why Collaboration Between Educators and Parents Matters?
• How Can Art Therapy Help with ADHD Symptoms in Children?
• School-Based Art Therapy for ADHD Support
• How can personalized interventions by art therapists can help children?
• How Can Art Therapy Help Teenagers with ADHD?
• What Are the Benefits of Art Therapy for Teenagers with ADHD?
• How Can Psychotherapy Help Teenagers with ADHD?
• Key Benefits of Psychotherapy for Teens with ADHD
• References

What are some age-appropriate behavioral difficulties in school-age children?

School-aged children (typically between 6 and 12 years old) go through important developmental changes—socially, emotionally, and cognitively. During this time, it’s normal for them to display a wide range of behavioral challenges that reflect their growth and learning. Examples of age-appropriate behavioral difficulties include:

• Strong emotional reactions after peer conflict
• Difficulty waiting their turn
• Interrupting in class discussions
• Occasional aggressive outbursts or temper tantrums
• Restlessness or trouble sitting still

These behaviors are generally considered developmentally appropriate as long as they are temporary, mild in intensity and occur in specific situations.

How can teachers spot problematic behavior in students?

When these behaviors become frequent, intense, or interfere with classroom learning and peer relationships, they may signal the need for additional support. Patterns such as:

• Ongoing defiance or frequent disagreements with teachers and peers
• High levels of impulsivity or poor emotional regulation
• Meltdowns that last longer than a few minutes
• Difficulty maintaining attention or following classroom routines

What are the symptoms of ADHD in school-aged children?

In school-aged children, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) usually shows up as a mix of impulsivity, hyperactivity, and attention problems. Some typical symptoms are: difficulty following directions, frequent distraction, lack of memory in day-to-day activities, excessive talking, interrupting others, and difficulty finishing tasks or organizing schoolwork.

How can educators support parents when a behavioral issue comes to light?

When behavioral issues arise in school-aged children in Toronto, educators are often the first to notice early warning signs—such as emotional outbursts, social withdrawal, or disruptive classroom behavior. In these moments, teachers play a key role in initiating compassionate and collaborative communication with parents.

The foundation of effective behavioral support lies in a non-judgmental, team-based approach. Rather than making assumptions about parenting styles or suggesting a diagnosis, teachers can focus on:

• Listening actively to parents’ insights and concerns
• Framing the conversation around shared goals for the child’s well-being
• Offering supportive feedbackwith specific examples from the classroom

Why Collaboration Between Educators and Parents Matters?

Research shows that strong collaboration among teachers, families, and school-based mental health professionals such as art therapists leads to better behavioral outcomes and fosters trust. When teachers and parents work together, they can co-create a consistent and supportive environment for the child across home and school settings.

Early communication also helps prevent escalation of the issue and allows for timely referrals to school-based support services, such as:

• School counselors or psychologists
• Art therapists or child therapists
• Social workers

How Can Art Therapy Help with ADHD Symptoms in Children?

Art therapy is a powerful, research-informed approach that supports children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by offering them a safe, creative outlet for self-expression and emotional regulation. For children who struggle with attention, impulsivity, and frustration tolerance, art therapy provides structure, engagement, and a non-verbal path to healing.

Through personalized, developmentally appropriate interventions, art therapists help children with ADHD:

• Transform impulsive energy into creative expression, reducing disruptive behaviors
• Build sustained attentionby engaging in focused, step-by-step artistic tasks
• Improve frustration toleranceby learning to work through mistakes in a safe, non-judgmental environment
• Develop emotional regulation skills, especially when verbal communication is challenging

School-Based Art Therapy for ADHD Support

Art therapy can be particularly effective in school settings, where children with ADHD often face academic and social challenges. Teachers and school counselors can refer students to an art therapist as part of a multi-disciplinary intervention plan. Within this setting, art therapy can:

• Support the development ofexecutive functioning skills like planning, sequencing, and organization
• Provide opportunities forsensory-based regulation (e.g., working with clay, paint, or texture)
• Encourageself-awareness and mindfulness through creative reflection
• Offer a space where children feel understood and empowered, outside the demands of academic performance

How can personalized interventions by art therapists can help children?

Certified art therapists use a variety of techniques tailored to each child’s needs, such as:

• Guided drawing and painting exercises to promote focus and emotional processing
• Storytelling through artto help children explore identity, relationships, and feelings
• Movement-integrated artfor children who benefit from physical activity while creating

These approaches are especially helpful for children with co-occurring anxiety, learning disabilities, or sensory processing difficulties, which are common among those diagnosed with ADHD.

How Can Art Therapy Help Teenagers with ADHD?

Art therapy offers a creative, non-judgmental space for teenagers with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to explore emotions, develop executive functioning skills, and improve focus. Adolescents often struggle with self-regulation, organization, and sustained attention, especially as academic and social demands increase. Art therapy helps bridge these challenges by engaging teens in meaningful, personalized creative expression.

What Are the Benefits of Art Therapy for Teenagers with ADHD?

• Promotes sustained attention by guiding teens through structured, goal-oriented art tasks
• Reduces emotional outbursts by providing nonverbal outlets for frustration, anxiety, or anger
• Supports executive functioning through planning and completing long-term creative projects
• Builds self-esteem by offering a sense of achievement and personal expression
• Encourages emotional insight and self-awareness in a safe, supportive therapeutic environment

How Can Psychotherapy Help Teenagers with ADHD?

Psychotherapy can be a highly effective tool for teenagers with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), especially when tailored to their unique emotional, behavioral, and academic needs. Therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and executive functioning coaching can empower teens to better manage their symptoms and improve daily functioning.

Key Benefits of Psychotherapy for Teens with ADHD

• Improves emotional regulation through cognitive reframing and mindfulness strategies
• Strengthens executive functioning by teaching skills like time management, organization, and prioritizing tasks
• Addresses co-occurring conditionssuch as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, which are common among teens with ADHD
• Builds self-awareness and accountability, helping teens understand how their thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected

If you’re looking for mental health services for your children or teenager in Toronto, contact us here. Our expert art therapists and psychotherapists in Toronto are available for in-person and virtual sessions.

References

Pfiffner, L. J., Villodas, M., Kaiser, N., Rooney, M., & McBurnett, K. (2013). Educational outcomes of a collaborative school–home behavioral intervention for ADHD. School Psychology Quarterly, 28(1), 25–36. https://doi.org/10.1037/spq0000016

Amel, A. K., Rahnamaei, H., & Hashemi, Z. (2023). Play therapy and storytelling intervention on children’s social skills with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_1104_22

Martínez-Vérez, V., Gil-Ruíz, P., & Domínguez-Lloria, S. (2024). Interventions through Art Therapy and Music Therapy in Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Language Disorders, and Learning Disabilities in Pediatric-Aged Children: A Systematic Review. Children, 11(6), 706. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11060706

Written by: Arina Hamidzadeh

Edited by: Reyhane Namdari