Look around the internet at the crafting community and you’ll see people talking about diamond painting. Seemingly, the craft has come from nowhere – however, it builds on the trends started by other forms of arts and crafts. Essentially, even those who aren’t overly creative can create a masterpiece. As a more advanced form of paint by numbers, it’s an engaging art form and offers more benefits than even the early adopters first thought.
As time goes on, more adults and children are enjoying diamond painting as a way to overcome the challenges that come with ADHD.
What’s Diamond Painting?
As mentioned, diamond painting kits have similarities with painting by numbers. However, the idea is to use resin diamonds (or drills) to create the image rather than paint. The canvas uses poured glue to create a sticky adhesive and you build an image by putting the right drills onto the corresponding numbers. With each colour using a DMC number, those partaking in the activity can choose a kit that contains an image that they love and make it.
Once all the drills are in their correct position, you’re left with the desired image. As you start implementing AB (Aurora Borealis) drills that shimmer like the Northern Lights, you’ll bring the image to life.
Diamond Painting and ADHD
While some adults choose to create diamond paintings to relieve stress and anxiety after a long day of work, others are using it to help with ADHD (in adults themselves or in their children). This is part of a growing trend of so-called ‘art therapy’ that has led to some parents investing in advanced kits from reliable providers like Diamond Craft.
As parents of children with ADHD will know, there’s often a problem with social skills, intense emotions, and even self-esteem. Through art and diamond painting, these children find a way to communicate non-verbally. The child can choose a picture that they like and then boost their confidence and wellbeing as they create the image.
With anything like ADHD, support for ideas like diamond painting is based on the experiences of others. In recent times, parents and experts have been incredibly positive about diamond painting and other forms of crafts in helping ADHD. They point to the following benefits:
- Increased self-awareness
- Improved interpersonal skills
- Better behaviour
- Reduced stress
One of the things that people with ADHD find so attractive about diamond painting is that they don’t need any artistic skills. Even if they haven’t picked up a paintbrush or pencil before, they can create an image of the Mona Lisa, an animal, or a cartoon character with relative ease. Consequently, diamond painting doesn’t come with the frustration that other forms of arts and crafts generate in people with ADHD.
With art therapy working so well around the world, art is now used in both special and mainstream educational settings. Students can use art to help with emotional and learning challenges while also exploring personal problems and engaging the senses. Over time, people find that motor skills improve and the mood of the person taking part gets better too.
Although every person with ADHD is different, art forms like diamond painting could also decrease impulsive behaviour and improve attention spans. Of course, these are lessons that the person can take into other areas of life.
If you’re to try with a child with ADHD, here are some tips to get started:
- Focus on the journey rather than the product
- Help only when they ask
- Allow your child to choose the image
- Talk to your child while they create their diamond painting
