How To Support The Artistic Development of Your Special Needs Child

I am often asked: "How do I support the artistic development of my disabled child now and as he grows up? What community resources are available for him?"

I believe it is very important to identify and cultivate the artistic skills and interests of children with disabilities. There are several reasons for this. First, art gives these children an opportunity to be successful. Second, art gives them a way to communicate. Third, art improves development by involving a variety of cognitive, sensory, and motor skills.

I have a few suggestions to offer about where to look for art opportunities in the community:

* Consider enrolling him with a private professional art teacher. This is better than a class as he will get one-on-one attention. However, depending on his issues, many may not be equipped to handle or address his special needs. Be sure to ask about the art teacher's specific skills.

* Consider a summer art camp. One that offers a spectrum of art experiences would be great. He can explore a variety of art mediums and decide what he likes or dislikes and what he may want more training in.

* Consider encouraging his classroom teacher to write for a grant to have an artist-in-residence. Artists-in-residence offer students an opportunity to work on a quality project over an extended period of time. These projects may be purely art or art in support of academic and/or IEP goals.

* I would encourage you to look for a high school with a strong art program.

* As your child approaches adulthood, there are many non-credit classes available in a variety of art mediums through local universities and community colleges.

Resources vary by community. You may be surprised to find a wealth of opportunities just waiting for you to tap into.

Bailey Earith is a professional fiber artist. She uses her 25 years experience as an occupational therapist to empower people with disabilities through art education. She has been published extensively for her innovative work with disabilities. She lectures and teaches classes and seminars across the country. Topics include: Special Art for Special People, How to provide art experiences to people with disabilities for parents and teachers, and Artist-in-Residencies.

Web site: http://www.BaileyFiberArt.com Visit her blog for an open discussion of art and disabilities. Blog: http://disability-art.blogspot.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bailey_Earith

Artist Pablo Solomon Reacts to New Autism Rates

Artist and designer Pablo Solomon contacted me with his reactions to the new autism rates that the CDC recently reported. He believes that we need to address what causes autism before we can address the rising autism rates. I may not agree with everything he has to say, but some should be addressed. Let me know what you think.

"Hi Tammy,
Glad that you are open to opinions that might open some tough discussions.
Please, let me say that while I express these opinions that I in no way wish to induce guilt in anyone nor hurt feelings. Trust me, my life has been filled with enough mistakes and misjudgments to fill more than one novel.

But here are some issues that I feel must be addressed/researched--
1. Woman having children at such late ages.

2. What effects do medications have? We all know about the vaccine controversy. However, women are routinely taking several medications daily and often have been for years. We really do not know enough about sideline effects on fetuses, especially the combined effects of these drugs.

3. Environmental factors. Sadly, many cities use the chlorinated waste water from cities upstream or from lakes. We now know that many medications pass through the body and end up in large quantities in our water supplies. Not to mention the old standbys such as pollutants in the atmosphere.

4. Stress factors. So many women are not only having children later in life, but have very stressful lives.

5. The male factor. What factors do men contribute? And to what degree do all the factors that I have listed for women effect men?

6. What degree does vanity play? Botox, silicon implants, etc. Even hair coloring,hormone treatments, skin care products, etc.We know very little about the impact of any of these.

7. Is there any connection between abortions and later problems? This is not meant to be a commentary on this controversial topic, but rather a cold scientific question.

8. Weird environmental factors. I am also known for my visionary environmental designs. While global warming is the least of my environmental worries, many other factors should be cause for real alarm. Things like exposure to too many x-rays---at the dentist, doctor, mammograms, etc. Exposure to microwaves from everything from ovens to cell phones. Exposure to electromagnetic energy from high voltage electric lines. And the list goes on. While I support moving forward to make life better, there are situations in which we take the short term cheap way out and pay the long term price.

9. Dry cleaning has long been suspected to cause some health problems--is autism one of them? While on the subject of chemical exposure, how much extermination of one's home is acceptable? Does the little spot of Raid left on your finger before you can wash it off soak in--for example--or should we wear protective gloves every time we take aim at a bug?

10. General inactivity. What effect does exercise--to much or too little have?

11. Chaotic home lives. Do children react to chaos by tuning it out?

Well this will probably get us started. I would be glad to discuss any of these.
Thank you for taking on such an important and difficult subject. Unless we do our research and face the resultant facts, we cannot make progress on addressing autism." - Pablo Solomon --Artist and Designer

Imagine Artist Nintendo DS for Girls by Ubisoft

I think that video games can be very helpful when used as a learning tool. Ubisoft sent me one of their new games for girls to review and keep. It is played on the Nintendo DS and is called Imagine Artist. My six year old daughter loves it. She loves to use the Paint program on the computer and couldn’t wait to try this out on the Nintendo when she saw it.

“Key Features:
Draw, Paint, Create – Learn a variety of techniques for drawing, painting and collage through fun mini-games in color-mixing, shading and composition.
Live the Life of an Aspiring Artist – Create beautiful works of art, maintain your studio and fulfill clients’ wishes as you build your reputation and your portfolio.
Share Your Creations – Upload your creations to your own virtual gallery on the Imagine Town website for your friends to see.
Art Made Easy – Simple UI will allow the player to create rich, detailed artwork using a handful of easy-to-use tools and techniques.
DSi-Compatible – Use the Nintendo DSi™ system’s camera to take a photo and incorporate it into your art. “

Imagine Artist is easy to play. It allows you to draw, paint and trace pictures on the screen with the stylus. You can mix paints, pick out different size brushes, and complete assigned art projects. There are even short games that can be played. The Imagine Artist is an educational game that teaches your child, which is the main reason that I like this game. The skills she learns while playing, she can use in creating art in real life.

Ubisoft has several games for girls that you may want to look into. They include:

Imagine Fashion Designer World Tour
Imagine Babyz Fashion
Imagine Sweet 16
Style Lab Makeover
Style Lab Jewelry Design

Ubisoft has plenty of games for boys, too. One of the most recent game to come out is James Cameron’s AVATAR The Game. This game is based on the movie that hit’s the theatre this month. It is appropriate for ages 10 and up.

This game can be used for teaching a child that needs help with developing writing and coloring skills. There are a lot of autistic children that prefer to sit and play with their Nintendo DS, then sitting at a table with a paper and crayon. Although the Imagine Artist is designed and martketed to girls, boys can use it too. This game will help develop necessary skills that they can use in real life.

Art in Autism--Learning Autism

While pondering my next question for learning autism, my brain slipped over to the artistic side.  It made me wonder, does anyone use art in teaching autism or even in calming an autistic child?  Are there autistic children who have a fascination with art?

Art has always been a soothing mental escape for me.  It awakens my longing to create and explore possibilities.  It boosts my courage when I can achieve satisfactory results.  Art for me is an emotional balm.  Color, texture, tones, imagination, fantasy, shapes, smells......they're all a part of it. 

Two of my favorite stores are Michael's and Hobby Lobby.  Aside from that, I'd have to say Books-a-Million would be next in line.  I can get lost in the possibilities and the books, the bits and pieces, the vast choices to entertain the mind.  For me, entering one of these places is like taking a deprived child to a toy store!  I just can't get enough, and it's hard to believe there are so many wonderful things in one building.

I've never been one to dwell on the history of art and artists.  I do respect what was offered and discovered in the past, but there's a whole new path out there to discover.  Admiring other people's works is another joy for me.  In this case, beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder.  I used to think abstracts were ugly and useless.  (I know, don't hate me abstract lovers.)  But I've come to admire even those unique works.

As I've evolved over the years, so has my appreciation for what is called art.  I no longer have a narrow view and expect the beauty in it to be perfect.  In fact, the imperfections are often what make the most interesting pieces.

This is my latest glass etching.

It would be an honor if any of you who have art loving autistic children would share with us the favored pieces of your child's works.

Learning Autism--Art and Autism

Today my learning adventure in autism takes me in the direction of art. I wondered what the art world would be like for someone with autism. I learned that art can be used as therapy for autistic children. www.art-therapy.us/autism.htm This website provides some background information linking art and autism, as well as an art-therapy program and other links.

If you are interested in art designed to benefit those with autism, here is another great link: http://http//www.designbycher.com/autism_art.htm . This may possibly inspire some artists who have not realized the connection to helping those with autism. If you are an artist, please consider using your artwork to benefit others in need. By the way, there are also some pretty cool free graphics.

Finally, if you would like to begin research into some amazing artists who have autism, here is a web site to get you started. If you like collecting artwork, why not collect from someone with honest talents who is dedicated to their work and is using their condition in a positive way? Art and Autism

If you have an autistic child who would like to share their artwork, please leave us a comment in the comment section with a link to the photos or web site.


P.S.(by Tammy - Administrator) - We'd be happy to feature their artwork on our site.