Art as Identity: Building Self-Expression and Self-Esteem Through ABA

At Canvas ABA, we don’t just focus on skill acquisition or behavior reduction—we focus on helping individuals create meaningful, valued lives.

A huge part of that?

Self-expression. Identity development. Self-esteem.

Traditional ABA sometimes overlooked these areas, focusing more on observable skills and measurable milestones. But modern, progressive behavior analysis recognizes that a strong sense of identity and positive self-regard are crucial for long-term autonomy, psychological flexibility, and quality of life.

And there’s a powerful tool for building these essential skills: art.

Why Self-Expression and Identity Matter in ABA

When we support clients in expressing who they are, we promote:

• Autonomy,

• Choice making,

• Self-advocacy,

• Intrinsic motivation,

• Resilience,

• Belonging.

Self-expression helps learners say:"This is who I am.""This is what matters to me.""This is what I want."

Behaviorally speaking, self-expression is a repertoire of verbal, artistic, and social behaviors that allow individuals to contact reinforcement for being authentically themselves.

How Art Facilitates Self-Expression Behaviorally

Art offers a nonverbal, flexible, naturally reinforcing context for shaping and expanding self-expression behaviors.

It provides opportunities to:

• Engage in choice-making (materials, themes, projects),

• Emit self-initiated communication (expressing ideas, emotions, preferences),

• Contact social reinforcement for authentic expression,

• Build positive self-monitoring repertoires (noticing strengths and growth).

Because art focuses on process over product, it reduces the fear of judgment and increases behavioral persistence—crucial for learners building self-confidence.

Art-Based ABA Strategies for Building Identity and Self-Esteem

Here’s how Canvas ABA integrates art into programs targeting identity and esteem:

🖍️ Values Art Projects

• Learners create visual representations of their personal values (family, friendship, kindness, creativity).

• Reinforces values-based self-concept and committed action (ACT-consistent).

✏️ “About Me” Collages

• Clients design collages representing interests, traits, hopes, and dreams.

  
  

🎨 Emotion Portraits

• Learners paint, draw, or digitally design portraits showing different emotional states.

• Builds awareness and acceptance of emotional diversity within oneself.

🎭 Artistic Goal Mapping

• Clients create art-based maps of personal goals, strengths, and challenges.

• Supports goal-directed behavior and self-efficacy through visual, tactile engagement.

Example: Building Identity Through Art – Olivia’s Story

Olivia, a 16-year-old autistic learner, struggled with low self-esteem and difficulty expressing preferences.

Through a structured art program:

• She created a values collage identifying her love for animals, music, and kindness.

• She completed a self-portrait project highlighting her strengths.

• She designed an "Ideal Day" poster mapping activities aligned with her goals.

Over months, Olivia’s verbal statements about herself shifted from negative self-talk to self-affirmations ("I’m creative," "I’m kind," "I’m a good friend").Her self-advocacy skills blossomed alongside her art.

Data Collection for Self-Expression Programs

We still stay behavior-analytic by collecting:

• Frequency of self-initiated choices during art activities,

• Instances of self-description statements,

• Novel uses of materials to represent identity,

• Increases in socially appropriate advocacy statements.

These data help ensure that self-expression isn’t just “fun” — it’s functional, measurable, and meaningful.

Conclusion: Celebrating Every Brushstroke of Self

At Canvas ABA, we believe that every learner deserves not just to succeed—but to be seen. To feel proud. To know who they are, and to move through the world with confidence.

Through art, behavior analysts can create learning environments that foster:

• Self-expression,

• Identity development,

• Pride in one's uniqueness,

• And a deeper connection between behavior change and personal values.

Because the ultimate goal of ABA isn’t just to change behavior—it’s to empower lives.

🔗 Want to learn how to infuse your ABA practice with art-based strategies that build self-expression and esteem?Explore our CEU courses at CanvasABA.com/ceu-library!