Send A Free E-Mail Card
Just a little hint: Alex has prepared email postcards that you can send to friends and family for FREE. Click an image below to send a card today.
About Autism
Autism
Autism (7)
Meet the Moms: This Mom's Creating a Special Future for Her Son
Written by Karen Kullgren, Washington Parent
Researchers Discover Genetic Patterns of Autism
Written by Time Magazine, Alice Park
An international group of researchers reports the discovery of a set of rare genetic variations that may increase susceptibility to autism spectrum disorders. The new study, which came out of the Autism Genome Project Consortium, the largest database of genetic information from families with autism, was published Wednesday in the journal Nature.
Art therapy creates new hues in Autism Awareness Month
Written by Eleanor Perry-Smith, Medhill, Northwestern University, Chicago
Anxiety, over-stimulation, sensitivity — these are regular feelings for many people who have autism. Feelings many of them can’t express vocally.
April is Autism Awareness Month and aims to speak up for people who have the disability. While public awareness is necessary and helpful, how can it help people, especially children with autism alleviate their frustration? Many families are learning about art therapy as an outlet for kids with autism to speak in other ways.
“Art can provide a way to express what is more complicated,” said Nicole Martin, an art therapist who received her training in Chicago. She said she hopes Autism Awareness Month will inform families that there are resources for children with autism, and art therapy could be the right fit for their child.
“Art tends to play to their natural strengths and interests,” said Martin. “They are very visual-spatial and sensory oriented.”
To read the full article, please click the following link: http://www.arttherapyblog.com/autism/art-therapy-autism-creating-new-hues/#more-60
Artist With Autism Draws Entire City From Memory
Written by Administrator
Stephen Wiltshire was mute and diagnosed with autism at the age of three. His dad died the same year. When he was 5, he moved to London where his interest in drawing began and eventually blossomed. Wiltshire slowly began talking when he was about 9 years old.
Wiltshire (pictured left) continued drawing and would eventually be the subject of various documentaries, television shows, books, and even come out with 4 books of his own…including one that made the Sunday Times best-seller list.
Kids With Cameras follows the progress, challenges and triumphs of a group of autistic children participating in a film camp hosted by non-profit organization Actors for Autism, and taught by award-winning educator Brad Koepenick.
This one-hour documentary provides a window into revealing moments of he kids’ private lives – combined with interviews with their families – as they learn to express themselves through films, poems, painting and music.
Recent research – as well as testimonials from parents of the campers – indicates that developing the creative and acting abilities of autisti children significantly improves their communication and socialization skills, something that is frequently overlooked as a therapeutic tool.
“I’m an Artist” is a film about students with learning disabilities including autism at special needs schools who achieve confidence, positive reinforcement and hope through the schools’ art program. This documentary provides a glimpse into the daily struggles and challenges that children with learning disabilities face everyday. At the heart of the film is the school’s art teacher, Mary Jo. Her unwavering enthusiasm for her students show that students with learning and emotional disabilities can achieve more growth than most people believe possible.
As quoted from My Child Without Limits,
"Autism is a severe developmental disability that generally begins at birth or within the first three years of life. It is the result of a neurological disorder that changes the way the brain functions -- causing delays or problems in many different skills from infancy to adulthood. For example, both children and adults with autism usually exhibit difficulties in social interaction as well as in verbal and non-verbal communication. They also tend to be interested in odd, repetitive, or restricted activities. While the majority of autistic children look completely normal, they differ from other children by engaging in perplexing and distressing behaviors."
Register Or Login
Site Resources
Send An E-Card
Send one of Alex's art works as a postcard with your unique message. Click the image to select a picture.
|
| description: |
| "Poochie Plays" is a colored paper mosaic. |
|
| description: |
| In memory of 1st Lt.Thomas Martin who died in Operation Iraqi Freedom. |
|
| description: |
| Montage #2 acrylic on canvas. |
|
| description: |
| Puzzle Pieces applied to silhoutte (for Brain Injury Awareness) |
