DR RADICA MAHASE
Many individuals on the autism spectrum experience challenges with communication and social interactions. Many are visual learners. While some may be limited in expressing themselves verbally, they may be able to express themselves in more creative ways.
Art is one format that is used to encourage both children and adults diagnosed. In an article, The Impact of Art on Autism, Suha Hussain noted, “Art fits naturally with autism in that it can help those with autism express themselves through images while also being a soothing activity. Face-to-face interactions, such as conversations can be stressful for those with autism, which makes it difficult to understand what the individual is feeling or thinking. A solution to this would be to rather focus on the person’s art and discuss it which will allow the other person to understand and form a better bond.”
In recognition of the importance of art and creative expressions and the positive roles they can play in the emotional and social development of people on the autism spectrum, C3 Centre in collaboration with Support Autism T&T hosted an art competition especially for children and adults on the autism spectrum. The competition’s theme was The World as I See It. It was meant to create an opportunity for autistic people to express their creativity and to encourage them to communicate about the things that were important in their world.
[caption id="attachment_967611" align="alignnone" width="683"] Winners and their parentsTsian-Li Hollingsworth collects her prize from Tyrone Hilton Clarke, facilities manager at C3 Centre. - Courtesy - Ross Photography[/caption]
In the 12-and-under category, 8-year-old Jivan Chaitoo placed first. Jivan noted, “The artwork is an expression of how I view the world around me. It’s very easy to draw what I think something looks like, rather than what we’re actually seeing. Artwork fosters a feeling of joy and boosts a good mood and positive emotions. When I draw it express my feelings of fear, joy, dreams, self-esteem and my vital energy. It also shows my relationship to the world and the way in which I do things. Whatever comes to my mind I draw, I love drawing and it is an outlet to my communication and represents a view of my personality. I use a dose of imagination, together with real-life experiences when I create my art piece. Drawing makes me feel relaxed creative and inspired.”
Second-placed Tsian-Li Hollingsworth, a pupil of Arouca Government Primary School, drew a piece which speaks to her life at school. Re-adjusting to school life was particularly challenging. Her day starts of in anxiety but with the support of her teacher aide and her friends, along with the routine of the schoolday (including prayer and meal times) she's able to function.
[caption id="attachment_967609" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Winners pose with their art pieces.- Courtesy - Ross Photography[/caption]
Tsian-Li’s mom, Lyra Thompson-Hollingsworth notes, “Tsian-Li lives to do art. She is always drawing, colouring and
