A study discussing aspects of creativity and its development and how as occupational therapists we can nurture it.  

Children with learning disabilities face a number of barriers to creativity in their everyday lives. While it is accepted that creativity is not completely independent of intellect, IQ alone does not determine level of creativity, and other personal factors such as social awareness and personality also play a part.  

The research aimed to study the clinical manifestation of creativity in a sample of Black mentally handicapped children and compare their performance with that of normal children of the same cultural group.  

A non-parametric study was carried out on 45 children split into 3 groups (group A-15 children with learning disabilities aged 13-17, Group B- 15 nursery aged children who’s creative ability was deemed to be corresponding with Group A, Group C- 15 children matched chronologically with Group A).   

Each group was given 4 basic materials with examples and suggestions of how to use them and their response to the materials specifically in terms of productivity, uniqueness and norm compliance was assessed over 12 one hour sessions. A battery of cognitive assessments and creative assessment was compared for correlations although the author acknowledges the limitations in the methodology. 

Findings showed that children with learning difficulties differ quantitatively and qualitatively from peers and they showed a qualitative difference in their extent of creativity compared to normal children, albeit younger, deemed on the same level of creativity. Different physical conditions as well as individual factors affect creativity in different ways and thus occupational therapists need to view patient’s task participation and choice of activities against their personal backgrounds for most benefit.