RESEARCH
Perception of Improvement in People with Disabilities who Cultivate Plants
Summary
This study explored how growing and caring for plants affected people with disabilities, including those with autism, schizophrenia, Down syndrome, and intellectual impairments. Over nine months, 16 adults with moderate to severe disabilities participated in gardening sessions four times a week in a vegetable and herb garden at a university in Brazil. The activities included planting, watering, harvesting, and learning about the plants. Through regular involvement, participants became more social, expressed themselves better, and showed signs of improved mood, focus, and self-confidence.
Teachers, therapists, family members, and the researchers all reported that the garden activities helped participants develop skills, reduce feelings of isolation, and even show physical and emotional improvement. Two participants had especially remarkable progress—one with autism began speaking more and had fewer outbursts, while another with schizophrenia stopped showing depressive symptoms and became more engaged and aware of reality. Overall, the study suggests that working with plants can be a powerful tool for improving the well-being, independence, and quality of life of people with disabilities.
