Rawley Silver, Ed.D., ATR-BC, HLM

Rawley Silver began writing about therapeutic art experiences in 1962 when she worked with children who had hearing-impairments, then with stroke patients and others who had learning disabilities or emotional disturbances. She has conducted research projects supported by grants from the U.S.Office of Education, the National Institute of Education, and the New York State Department of Education; taught art therapy in the Graduate School of the College of New Rochelle from 1974 to 1980; and presented at more than 70 conferences and universities.

Her most recent book,The Silver Drawing Test and Draw A Story, updates previous editions of these art assessments with recent findings, and was published in June 2007 by Routledge, N.Y. and Taylor & Francis, UK. Test materials are provided in the book.

In 2009, she received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Teachers College, Columbia University, where she earned the Ed.D.degree in Fine Arts and Fine Arts Education. She also received the annual award for research from the American Art Therapy Association 1976,1980,1992,1996), and was elected to Honorary Life Membership in the Association (1983)as well as the Florida Art Therapy Association (1984).

She has reported her findings in 79 journal articles, books, and other publications. Five of her books, now in print, are discussed on the following pages. Some journal editors have authorized the downloading of selected articles at no charge. Click here for list. The Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) provides digital access to 31 of her publications through the ERIC database (www.eric.ed.gov).

Also a painter, Silver's work has been shown in invitational and juried group shows; her 18th one-person exhibition was shown in Juanuary, 2008. Listed in Who’s Who in American Art since 1983,she is also included in the archives of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.

Silver's assessments use stimulus drawings to bypass langauge disorders in assessing cognitive skills, and to provide access to fantasies, emotions, and attitudes toward self and others.