Autism has become a hot topic recently, becoming the fastest-growing developmental disability in the world. It affects approximately 1 in every 150 children (And 1 in every 94 boys). It’s estimated that between 1 and 2 million Americans have some form of autism.
A book titled Drawing Autism shares a unique perspective by showcasing the artistry of individuals with autism. There are over 50 contributors from around the world, each sharing how they see the world. The book includes the artwork (examples of paintings, drawings and collages can be seen in the gallery below) created by the contributors as well as interviews and comments from the artists themselves.
Buy the Book and Support Autism
If you like art, it’s a wonderful book of images in its own right, regardless of the autism angle. Though we think it’s just as lovely that the author has included the interviews and comments as well. Even better, they are helping to spread the word about nurturing the talents of people with autism.
If you don’t buy the book, at least check out the gallery of images below and visit the book’s facebook page.
Related Links:
Art Therapy and Autism
Autism & Temple Grandin Take Over The Emmys
Asperger’s and Art Therapy
Images from “Drawing Autism” Book
About “Drawing Autism”
Author: Jill Mullin
Introduction by: Temple Grandin
Pages: 160
Publisher: Mark Batty Publisher
“Drawing Autism” Book Description:
Although autism was first identified in 1943, the last decade has seen the complex neurobiological disorder become a topic of conversation the world over. Knowing no racial, ethnic or social barriers, today autism is diagnosed in 1 in every 150 children, with boys four times more likely to be autistic than girls. Known as a spectrum disorder, autism manifests differently in every diagnosis. From social deficits to behavioral difficulties and language delays, the severity of autism varies greatly from person to person. The unique nature of how autism affects individuals in myriad ways makes the disorder a challenge for those who have it, have children with it or work with those living with the diagnosis. Art has long been an outlet used by some individuals with autism to express themselves in instances where words do not work, or cannot be made to.
These images are inspiring and informative to visualizing how children with Autism see the world, especailly those who can’t talk. I am definately putting this book on my birthday wish list.
I am a Single mother and artist of two children with Autism, that are non-verbal, learning to use AAC device called Springboard. I am debating to become an art therapist, with art therapy not covered by medical insurance companies, I find it difficult to think people would pay for the art therapy, especially for the rate being $30 to $75 per hour. Do you know of grants to clinical therapy places to help families with funding Art Therapy for Autism?
We formed this organization to help kids with autism see they have talents. I Loved all the art by people with autism. Everyone needs in their live visions of what they want out of life. I am grandfather and guardian of 6 year old non-verbal with autism. Anything I can do to help him and others like him to see they have talents by means of art is one of my main goals. The other is that they can be a part of society and contribute.
I find the images very inspirational. As an artist myself who teaches art and is personally, involved in teaching a very promising autistic to paint, I find the subject very timely. I think these very special individuals, in spite of their biological challenges have very great artistic talents hidden in them which needs nurturing – at least there examples of such great talents out there doing great exploits, like the one who paints entire cities from memory.
I think their full potential is yet to be uncovered in spite of their challenges. let is continue, in a concerted effort to work hard to help them to discover their full potential and I bet you their contribution to the development of society cannot be measured.
I am diving a lecture on autistic artists in my Visual Literacy class at Indiana University in South Bend, In.
One of the artists I am including is a sculptor named Russell Childers. I saw a show of his work at the University of Oregon in late 197o’s. Several galleries in Oregon are trying to organize another show of his work.
my son is a 15 year old autistic awesome boy and he can make the most incredible miniature clay sculptures like cartoons Iv been trying to find some where I can show them because people tell me we should sell them… if some one out there can show me in the right direction…
This is fantastic! It is so important to support and publicise these causes. One that I tend to support every year is the GLOBI #DrawDisability contest, which I believe is still open. They create a book full of the children’s artworks that depict disabled persons in their community in a positive light. It is so encouraging to see how children exercise their openness and tolerance of those around them through art at such a young age.