{"id":331,"date":"2010-06-26T01:26:37","date_gmt":"2010-06-26T08:26:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/autism-tips.com\/?p=331"},"modified":"2026-02-25T12:23:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T19:23:12","slug":"art-and-autism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/autism-tips.com\/?p=331","title":{"rendered":"Art and Autism"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the world\u2019s most famous contemporary artists is an autistic man named Stephen Wiltshire. He was mute in his early childhood and used to throw severe temper tantrums. He lived in his own world and never related to other human beings. At the age of three he was diagnosed with autism and he had no language. He went to Queensmill School in London at the age of five, a school for kids with special needs. At school everybody noticed that the only time he enjoyed was when he was drawing. His drawings could say more than just words. He communicated through his drawings. When his teachers noticed his amazing talent for drawing, they encouraged his mother to nurture this extraordinary strength and \u00a0give it more attention. His drawings are masterpieces in different subjects.<\/p>\n

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He grew up in a supportive and understanding environment that recognized his talent and pushed him to reach his full potential. Stephen earned a Foundation Degree at the Architectural Association in London in 1994. He also completed a three year degree course in drawing\/painting at City& Guilds London Art College for a Postgraduate Degree in Prints and drawings in 1998.<\/p>\n

That was just a short description of Stephen Wiltshire’s life summarized from his catalogue.<\/p>\n

For more details about Stephen Wiltchire visit his website www.stephenwiltshire.co.uk<\/a>. You can also view Stephen Wiltshire on You Tube.<\/p>\n

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Two years ago I was in London and went to visit his Gallery, but it had \u00a0just closed five minutes before I had arrived. But just by looking at the showcase windows I couldn’t believe the stunning quality of his art. It reflected his immense talent for drawing and his exceptional visual<\/a><\/strong> skills. He is privileged with a brilliant photographic memory. The care and support he received from family and school enabled him to utilize this gift to present his terrific art to the entire world.<\/p>\n

This is a good opportunity to highlight the importance of communication<\/strong><\/a> between home and school as I mentioned in another article.
\nWorking on strengths rather than weaknesses can change one\u2019s destiny. Together, parents and educators need to dig and find the strengths in every child and build on it. Every child got a kind of strength in a certain area.<\/p>\n

Art is a great means to channel the hidden energy \u00a0and talents in a constructive, educational way. Children with autism -as all children- should be given the opportunity to explore their interests and should be be exposed to as many kinds of art as possible. Some of them can express their interests, some can not. We need to help them find their passion.<\/p>\n

Keep trying and never give up, if painting is not the right interest it might be clay, pottery, knitting, beading, ceramic,…<\/p>\n

Vigotsky, the behaviorist, has a valuable theory. Adults shouldn\u2019t offer help to the child while working on a task unless the child is really stuck and can\u2019t go further. Only then, adults can step in and give the strict necessary amount of help needed to push one step forward. By doing this, we give the children the opportunity to explore and discover their own capabilities. This rules applies also on children with special needs. We don’t really know what they are capable of.
\nThe ultimate goal is, to render them as independent as possible and help them recognize their strengths.<\/strong><\/p>\n

How to apply this theory?<\/strong><\/p>\n