The study evaluated the effect of art therapy on the development of basic academic concepts with 84 handicapped children (ages 7 to 11 years). The children were given the Silver Test of Cognitive and Creative Skills which uses drawing tasks to assess the child's understanding of the concept of a class or group of objects, the concept of space, and concepts of sequential order and conservation. Ss were also given tests of mental ability and reading and arithmetic achievement. Children received an art therapy program for approximately 40 minutes a week for 12 weeks. The program stressed the development of concepts of class, space, and order as well as creativity and self esteem. Results indicated that experimental Ss showed higher, though not significantly higher, gains in cognitive skills and achievement than did control Ss. Results suggested the validity of the Silver Test as a nonverbal measure of cognitive skills and the probable value of the art therapy program. Charts provide detailed analyses of findings. (DB)