Arts for Healing is beginning an exciting journey to empirically determine the effectiveness of Integrative Arts Therapy for children with pervasive developmental disorders such as autism. To accomplish this goal, we have contracted with Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and together will work towards an understanding of the benefits of creative arts therapy upon the behavior, communication and social interaction of children with these disorders. This is a vitally important undertaking, considering the deficit of empirically-validated treatments for autism and pervasive developmental disorders. The long term goal of this project is to be able to document the effectiveness of Integrative Arts Therapy and disseminate this treatment to providers and organizations that work with children with special needs, for the betterment of their functioning and well-being.