The Art of Autism takes submissions of art work and poetry on a continuous basis. We update the website quarterly with art. We are now paying neurodivergent bloggers for posts. See our criteria here. Please become familiar with our website and what type of submissions we post before submitting. Bloggers must be age 13 or over. Please submit to the email submit@artautism.com.
The Art of Autism has a backlog of posts, so unless your blog post is topical or posts on our monthly emphasis (February – Black History Month, March – Women’s History Month, April – Autism, September – peace-themed or October – Disability History and Employment) expect a delay in posting.
We look for guest bloggers on a variety of subjects including but not limited to:
1. First-hand accounts from autistic people
2. Articles on art, music, or poetry
3. Spirituality and autism
4. Transformative accounts
5. Special Education stories
6. Sibling Stories
7. Parent Stories
8. Stories about innovative programs
9. Profiles of autistic people
10. Advocacy articles
11. Articles about employment and transition
12. Topical human-interest stories
13. Book and movie reviews
14. First Person Mental health accounts
15. Interviews of noteworthy people
16. International and National month themes – see why February, March, April, May, September, October and November have important themes for us.
Our policy on articles about therapies
Articles on therapies that we post on the Art of Autism are articles that treat people with dignity and that are in alignment with our mission – such as music and art therapy, equestrian therapy, and therapies which empower the person to have control over their emotions and enhance their lives, such as social stories. We do not post articles that are about curing autism or about what caused a person’s autism, such as vaccine articles. We do post articles from autistic people about therapies they believe helped them or hindered them. We do not endorse any individual therapist or program.
What we don’t post
We do not publish blogs that use disempowering language or have ableist content. See our view on autism here.
Article Submission Guidelines
Articles should be 800 – 2000 words in .docx or .txt format. Paragraphs should be in block style (double space between paragraphs). Include a head-shot of the writer and bio in a separate email. If the blog is about art please include samples of your art ready for publishing on the web properly named – the filename should include your name and the name of the piece of art. Photos should have the name of the person in the photo or a description of the photo. Please do not include photos, art and headshot as part of the text. Please spell check and grammar check your post.
The benefit of posting your blog post on the Art of Autism is portfolio building, promotion, and the chance to be read by many people. The Art of Autism has received 1 million unique views in the last year. We average about 4000 views a day. Submissions and inquiries can be made to info @artautism.com. For those who don’t know the rules for email, we’ve posted email etiquette here. We’ve also published 9 tips for writing engaging blogs.
Art Submissions
We take art submissions for our galleries and posting on social media. These usually aren’t paid submissions unless designated by the Art of Autism through a contest or solicitation.
Art submissions should be photographed and named appropriate. See how to photograph art for professional submissions here.
Right to Decline Submissions
The Art of Autism reserves the right to decline any material for publication.
Payment
We do pay autistic bloggers for their submissions. Posts must be original and not published on any other sites. Those outside of the United States must accept paypal for payment. Payment is made the month after the blog post is posted.
Sponsored Posts
The Art of Autism is not accepting sponsored posts. If you would like to sponsor our site and have your logo on all the pages email submit@artautism.com
Header Image: Wen of Zen “Brain on Spectrum”
Hello,
My name is Harris Baker and I am an associate at Glenmont Consulting and I’m looking for guest posting/collaborative opportunities for my client, Thread Learning.
Thread Learning builds a data collection, analysis and coordinated care platform for autism education. Teachers, managers, parents, and students can all benefit from this approach.
My team and I are extremely active in the ABA/Autism space and were recently highlighted in a Cornell Tech publication: http://bit.ly/2CxvacX. Our clients include BCBAs, Special Need Schools and data collection companies.
I see you have suggested topics and submission guidelines which is wonderful, but I’m wondering if there’s anything specific you have in mind we can collaborate on.
I look forward to your reply!
Harris, if you look at our guidelines, ABA isn’t something we post about unless its from an autistic perspective.
Understood. Thanks for your reply. If there’s ever anything you think we can collaborate on in the future, please feel free to contact me!
Hi
My name is Lisa. When I get to come on website I love it. I love to and is artistic
Hello my names Kambel, I would like to share my method to managing my autism. https://www.autisarian.com
Kambel, your website is fascinating! If you’d like to write a blog for the Art of Autism please email your blog, a bio, and a picture to info@artautism.com.
Kambel, this is amazing work you’ve done !! keep inspiring people that nothing is impossible when there’s will. I’m sharing your website to my fellow artist as well..
Hounds of a Hell
When the hounds of a hell are at your heels,
Fear tripping up reason.
It’s then easier to return to Plato’s Cave.
I usually sit in the corner, the one often wearing a dunce cap.
Alas, hope & a ride on the good luck dragon glimmer still,
Heart & Choice sets thee FREE!
Hold hands, hug, and rejoice in thanks.
Grateful that Love helps all LIVE!
Dear Fathers, gather round the bosom of Mother Earth.
Love her like she’s truly yours to love. Respect her and she’ll return blessings indefinitely.
– Bicentennial girl
Ai-icia Page (honestly!)
*a poem I wrote. I think in pictures and had a rather rough childhood and am trying to focus on using my sometimes volatile states (I even wear loud clothing, it calms me to make people uncomfortable. I feel akin to others who would go to the lengths of studying just enough various law to better grasp social understandings.) Unemployed and cannot pass those personality tests so prevalent these days. So, I write 🙂 Much is posted to my facebook page.
Hello , I’m Eduardo’s Mom , he has autism , he is 8 years old and he is an artistic boy , painting and drawing beautiful pictures that I’d like to share with you , thanks a lot
Hi Eduardo’s mom – if you would like to submit Eduardo’s art please email info@artautism.com
Hey all,
I’m not here for myself, but for a friend of mine… let’s share a story.
I met him about a year ago while I was running around as a steampunk pirate going to events and such.
His name is Warren, autistic but so talented my brain actually started hurting. His story is a sad one, always bringing a smile to other people’s faces.
Forever covering his face behind cosplay unless he was your friend.
His facebook page will explain.
https://www.facebook.com/StarRaccoonCosplay
I would love to see him see that there is still love in the world and hope.
Regards.
I’m an author with autism who has recently released a novel with a major character having autism. How can I go about having my book reviewed by your blog?
HI, I’m writing for my son, Matteo, who is a 15 year old autist. He has published a book called, Handbook of Us,. It is filled with amazing insight and offers unique perspectives into his unique life experiences…great for all parents/educators to read. Could we enter just one chapter or something? How does this work with books? He is also a poet and artist, so we’ll be submitting those to you as well.
Thanks for all you are doing! This is a beautiful opportunity for the world. -Annette
I just learned last night that my son who is 19 years old has Aspergers. He was apparently diagnosed by a psychologist at his College about a year ago but has been afraid to tell me or his mom. He confided in my wife (his stepmom) who shared it with me on condition of my keeping of the secret. He’s very worried in particular about his stepdad who he respects a great deal and I think he may worry won’t be supportive?? In any case…
Looking back at his childhood some things now make a bit more sense. He was way, way ahead of his classmates in first grade and would exhibit a lot of different nervous type reactions in social settings like flapping his hands. He was reading and doing math at a high level so they skipped him up to second grade.
Even as a 2-3 year old he would obsessively organize his trains or cars. Now I see how this was kind of a marker. All through grade school he had a tough time socially etc. He had a much easier time in high school and once he got a more advanced sense of humor etc.
He started having panic attacks a year and a half ago while counseling at a summer camp- in some tense social settings with co-workers who he wasn’t getting along well with.
Now he’s back home after 3 semesters of school away from home.
I found this out last night and now realize maybe I also have had slight autistic tendencies, especially while growing up. I never had any idea that this could have been what I was struggling with.
I’ve always felt drawn to obsessively collect and organize things. I feel like I’m going to lose my marbles when there’s too much auditory stimulation going on around me. I had a super hard time socially when I was a kid. I do well now but still have a hard time understanding other people’s emotions some times.
I took a few online quizzes today and I’m like “borderline” scores on two different tests.
My son now has to look ahead to his life and figure out what he wants to do. I can’t let him know at this point but it would be great to get him started on seeking out some therapeutic help and (according to my wife) maybe something for his anxiety if needed or helpful.
This is all very new to me.
Hi!
Im a young girl with ADHD & Autisim! I’m really artistic and I want to share some of my artwork in this website. Can I get some help with this? As in, where do I send it and stuff? That would be really helpful! 🙂
Hi Violette, please email info@artautism.com with pictures of your art. Thank you.
Hi Violtte,
ABA-based Behavior therapy is very effective for children with an autism spectrum disorder. It’s a huge application method with needed Data which show u a the progress day by day. ABA therapy can improve the behavior of the Autistic child.
Hello!
I am interested in submitting an article as part of your paid blog program. I am autistic, and also do a great deal of pen-and-ink art. However, I saw that one of the criteria to get paid to post, is that I have to have a disability. Does my autism count as a disability? If not, does my ocd?
Also, is there a limit to how much art I can submit? I want to raise awareness about autism in girls, and am thinking about drawing some pictures with the theme of “masking”.
We pay for original content (not published elsewhere) from those who are neurodivergent, which would include autistic people and those who have ocd. You can submit 3 or 4 .jpgs of your art to info@artautism.com. Thank you.
My son Siddharth ‘s first solo art exhibition is for a month between 23 March and 21 April 2019 at the Phoenix art centre , Brighton,England .UK
Sid is a young man who has Autism,ADHD, speech and language impairment ,severe learning disability , epilepsy and challenging behaviours . Art is his passion and our joy! All are most welcome
.
This is the link to Siddharth’s Facebook art page .
https://www.facebook.com/Siddharth-the-artist-280811339386308/
Please do like, share and comment if possible.
Thanks in advance ❤️
Thanks in advance ! ❤️❤️
https://www.facebook.com/Siddharth-the-artist-280811339386308/
Siddharth’s exhibition … all welcome❤️❤️
https://www.phoenixbrighton.org/exhibitions/
I’m so excited to have found this website! My son is 18 years old and autistic. He barely speaks but he understands and comprehends more than we know. He loves many things such as playing baseball with Miracle League, listening and singing to music but most of all he has learned to express himself through the art of abstract paintings that he calls “Splats”. Many years ago when in art class at school he came home with an amazing abstract painting that he did. His art teacher at that time talked to me during one of his IEP meetings and said something to the effect that Joshua had an innate talent for knowing about colors. I didn’t think much about it really until on his 18th birthday I decided to buy him some basic canvas boards and acrylic paints. He started painting and has created very interesting abstract paintings that many people say resemble Jackson Pollock’s work. I would love to have the opportunity to share some of Joshua’s creations here on this page! Thank you so much for your consideration! A very proud mom!
Hi, My name is Natalie. I was diagnosed with autism 2 years ago at the age of 19 after I had finished my first semester at college. I am a Studio Art and Religious Studies double major. I would love to be able to share some of my work with you.
Hello, I am writing in hopes of helping my very talented nephew . Thomas is 23 and going to be graduating May of 2020 from FIU. He is an english major and a marvelous writer. He has the love and support of a loving family and we want to find an avenue for him to publish his work. Could you please direct us . Thank you so much for this wonderful platform.
Hi Natalie: I was an art history major as well and I have worked with spectrum individuals before. I also studied outsider art, and would be curious to see what the nature of your work is!
Hi everyone:
My name is Sofia Mochon-Ciniglio and I am a former art history student with deep knowledge of “outsider art” awareness artists with learning differences and ASD profiles. I am also in the process of working to become involved further with art therapy programs.
I happen to be well acquainted with people who classify themselves as autistic artists or outsider artists, and I happen to find their output fascinating because they delve into details of matters and objects that much of the world often takes for granted. The main reason I admire artists on the autistic spectrum is because of this, and I personally believe nothing in this world should be taken for granted. Thank you so much for this network.
I also find the work of spectrum artists to be an amazing contribution to the art atmosphere because it focuses on ideas and detail that many take for granted, and I personally believe fewer things in life should be taken for granted.
Thanks to a County Council worker, an autistic man called Nathan was introduced to our local creative writing group in order to have his short story evaluated. It’s a 2500 word piece aimed at children. I’m bound to say that it was unconventional and rather peculiar, but it had a certain charm. There were infelicities in the use of language, but I offered to edit the story and Nathan agreed, so I did. He’s satisfied with the edited version and has asked me if there could be any possibility of publishing it.
Never having worked with a (quite severely) autistic person before I couldn’t answer but I promised I’d try to find out. Please will you advise me? I’d like to help him further if I can.
We would consider publishing it as a blog post Mark.
Hello my name is Jennifer and Enzo is my brother. Enzo has autism and he is 22 years old. He currently attends community college and takes art classes because art is his passion. I would like to share his art with you. Thank you!
Hello Everyone!
My name is Caitlin and I am an autistic graphic design major at Susquehanna University in PA. I have been doing digital art and poster projects for almost five years now and I will be graduating this December, hoping to achieve a career as a graphic designer (hopefully Broadway poster design). I occasionally post on my Behance, Facebook, and Instagram when I have some work ready and I hope you take the time to check out my work:
Behance: http://www.behance.net/caitlinmeleski
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CaitlinMeleskiArtwork
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/caitlinmeleskiartwork
My name is mariano bula,i am 30 years old, originally I was born in panama in central america but i do live in San Antonio, i was diagnosed as autistic at 2 years old but I believe that had it since birth and life growing up on the spectrum hasn’t been easy because i felt that i could have a great childhood like every other child but we all know that autism has many versions,from those that cant be able to functioned by themselves (lower-functioned) and the socially awkward yet intelligent individuals (higher-functioned/asperger’s) which is the reason why is it called a spectrum, as for me,even though that’s something that I had deal for a lifetime,i have to understand better and hard that god has put me on earth for reason and I have to accept the fact that the kind of mind that I have will give the ability to do something that a regular individual wont do and i that through speaking my truth will inspired someone just like me.
I would like to post as a guest blogger. I am Autistic, 41 years old, married to an Autistic male, and raising children who are Autistic. I could not find the link above to do so.
My name is Daniel Docherty. I am a 19 year old singer with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I reside in Ireland and I study psychology in Waterford Institute of Technology. People with ASD are not second class citizens snd are capable of amazing things and thst is why i want to use my talent for the good of others. I want to inspire young people with ASD to follow their dreams and reassure them that they can achieve their inspirations. I was diagnosed with autism in March, 2014 at the age of fourteen. My prefered genres of singing is classical/opera and swing.
I take immense influence from some of the greats such Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin and Freddie Mercury. Singing gave me hope and helped me cope with my anxiety and stress caused from dealing with everyday life. It improved my confidence immensely and helped through my darkest moments. I want to give that hope to young people with ASD who are struggling in a world that they do not understand and a world that does not understand them. Thank you for your time. I really appeeciate it.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10158531146008452&id=68969193451
Hello. My husband is a Sociology Professor and Author. He is now retired and spent the last three years researching current scholarly knowledge on autism and writing. He has a blog on Autism that you might find interesting. The link for the blog is https://diversityconsciousness.com/blog/. Thank you.
Hi there. Just discovered your site (was recommended by someone today) and I love the perspectives you take. I am wondering whether you would be interested in publishing an article that has already gone out on my charity’s website, but which I feel really resonates with a lot of the stuff on here.
It’s called The Beautiful Reality of Autism – https://transformingautism.org/beautiful-reality-autism/
My son Omer Udvin is a young Israeli artist (20 years old) diagnosed on the autistic spectrum.
For him, painting is a meaningful window to the world, allowing him to express himself in ways he is ordinarily unable to. The art is the twist in Omer’s endless Journey of coping with autism.
As a young boy Omer objected even to hold a pen in his hand. Only at 8 years old he began to secretly draw on a white-board just for him to see, erasing almost immediately.
Only when he felt more confident with him-self he started sharing them with his close family.
His extraordinary drawing abilities were discovered only at the age of 17, and since then, despite his youth, he has developed a unique artistic style of his own- personal artistic imprint.
His paintings are characterized by their abstraction, daring bold color combinations, and a naive-optimistic perception and view of our world.
Omer works with various techniques, mainly acrylic paints on canvas, water colors, collages with fabrics.
Despite his young age, Omer has already exhibited his painting in many exhibitions, among others at the International Exhibition for Naïve Art in Haifa, at “chabba” Art gallery in Herzlia, at the Israeli Art Exhibition 2018 of Bank Hapoalim, at an exhibition at the President’s Residence in honor of the International Day of Autism and at a two-artist exhibition at Lemon- Frame Gallery, a well- known gallery in Tel Aviv, with a great success and full spread recognition . Omer’s paintings are regularly exibited at the Lemon -Frame Gallery.
One of his painting, was chosen as one of the semi-finalists from all participating artworks in the Artbox – Project Zurich SwissArt- Expo 2019.
I hope you will be interested to see Omer’s art :
https://www.facebook.com/udvin.omer.artist/
https://www.instagram.com/omerudvin/
Hello
I have two sons on the Autism Spectrum and have included tips in my podcast for raising a child with Autism including eating, sleeping and behavioral information. I hope it is helpful to those who need it.
Hello,
I would like to submit art and poetry (I am a 36 year old autistic female artist), but I can´t find a link to do so. Shall I send my submission via Email?
This is my website, where you can find most of my work: https://www.nihilivonne.com/
Thank you for this project/site!
Kind regards,
Ivonne
Hi,
I am mother of an autistic child named Siri who has challenges in communication. She made amazing changes in her life in the past four years. Her story was told on TV, magazines and we are working on a documentary on her inspirational life to encourage and uplift others with autistic children. Siri chose the name of her documentary “My Name is Siri” which will be releasing April 2020. She has her own FB page, IG, LI, Twitter, Website, IGTV, YouTube.
Please lt me know if your readers would be interested to know about Siri.
Thank you.
Swathi (mom of Siri)
Hi myself Suneel Jain from India, based in Gurgaon. myself is an artist loves to do installations art, we recently did anamorphic art at India Art Fair and would like to submit an article of the same.
See my website and facebook page here
https://www.facebook.com/artellipsegroup/
http://www.artellipsegroup.com
I am concerned with regards to, not only the high fees galleries charge, but also the very high commission.
I am planning on having a dedicated website which will be a gallery for autistic artists. An artist can put a price on their artwork and any queries will be sent to the artist to negotiate a purchase.with the purchaser.Our organisation which will be called Kernow Kraft Gallery is based in Cornwall but only to manage the administration and communication between the artist and purchaser. There will be no commission charges on any sales created by the website.
Hello, I am trying to find out if the art of autism site ever publishes photography work by autistic photographers, and if so what is the best way to go about it please?
I am the parent of an adult daughter with Asperger syndrome. She is trying to forge a career pathway through her photography work and in doing so is gaining a pride in herself.
Are there any particular projects my daughter should look at?
I enclose a link to examples of her work.
https://ellie-zoe-photography.picfair.com/
Many thanks for your time.
Lisa.
Frankie Pfeiffer is a 12-year-old Colorado 6th grade boy who’s on the autism spectrum. For him and other non-traditional learners, getting educated in an in-person physical classroom setting can be difficult. Like all kids in the spring of 2020, he was forced into distance learning at home during the COVID-19 pandemic creating even greater challenges.
As part of his remote education, Frankie was blessed to receive instruction from Will Day, the acclaimed Boulder contemporary artist, who helped facilitate the creation of his piece.
“Colorado amidst the panic” is Frankie’s abstract painting depicting a whirl-wind of chaos and destruction being experienced during the coronavirus pandemic with a ray of hope emanating from the colors of the Colorado state flag.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/colorado-amidst-the-panic
Frankie and his family want to share this ray of hope with you and the many families of special needs children with proceeds going to support the Autism Society of Boulder County and Imagine! Colorado. Those who donate $40 or more will receive a limited edition lithograph of Frankie’s painting.
Thank you for your support of others!
Love,
Team Frankie
Hey,
I am autistic and recently discovered painting during the pandemic. It saved me from committing suicide. It became my last bit of hope left in my life after everything fell apart. I am in NYC so it hit us very hard. I have written a post about my experience but I am not a professional writer. I think such a post could help others in my position. It could inspire others who feel hopeless to try painting. I want to share the story or how I fought suicidal thought by expressing my feelings with art. I also would love to share some art.
Would this be of any interest to you?
I am sending the submission tonight, and if it is not professional enough I Can edit it.
I just feel strongly that maybe my story could help someone.
I have read posts about autistic people during the COVID19 pandemic but none went into depth about the experience of us autistics with comorbidities of mental illness. They also never spoke of how many of us are ultrasensitive to the death and despair around us. Sadly, many with mental health issues can’t cope with sitting alone for months .
Yes, I’m glad you found painting. Please email info@artautism.com and include a short bio and picture of yourself.
Hello, my name is Meltem Arıkan.I’m an exile Turkish writer living in Wales. I was diagnosed with Autism one year ago (age 51) and will be sharing my inner refections, and journey of exploring what this means to my life in the SUDDENLY AUTISTIC / ASPIE in my blog. I would like to share my inner reflections. https://meltemarikan.blogspot.com/
http://www.meltemarikan.com
Could you explain what you mean by “sponsored post?” Thank you in advance.
Sponsored posts are when people pay us to have a post up. We don’t take very many sponsored posts because the content needs to be relevant to our site.
my name is maggie jones. and i’m 30 years old and i wanted to get my work published. i have mild autism and i work for pittsverse magazine.
is there any way you can help me.
You need to follow our submission guidelines on this page.
Autism is a spectrum disorder that can affect communication skills and interpersonal relationships. One of the most commonly used therapies is ABA therapy. Applied behavioral analysis therapy consists of an assessment and consultation, the implementation of a treatment plan, potentially receiving a caregiver, and routine checkups to ensure that the treatment plan is effectively working. It allows children and individuals to open up their emotions and express them in an appropriate but healthy way. The therapy takes on goals and relies heavily on progress. As people must work toward the life they would like to live. Individuals must work together to advance as people emotionally and educationally, which is why therapies like this are needed. If these individuals get the help they need before they are socially isolated, they can lead productive and independent lives.
Also, a friend’s brother Myles happens to have Autism Spectrum Disorder. He has a difficult time verbally communicating but, he excels in sports competition and expressing affection through touch. Many individuals may have a preconceived idea of what autism is, but experiencing someone such as him has been a joy. I would love to be able to help contribute research to help individuals like him in the future. Further research could help to better understand various symptoms and physiological aspects that stem from individuals that have Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Hi
I am an autistic woman and started a blog on activism and Autism.
I have this post for example about “high-functioning” and personal experience:
https://datactivism.wordpress.com/2020/05/29/an-autistic-life/
I would love to write for you!
Thanks
Hello,
My husband has been writing articles and poetry on a variety of subjects which capture his unique perspective on the world. He has a website which reflects some of his talent. He would like to open this site up for viewing and commentary by a neurodivergent audience.
My husband has just discovered your organisation, but would like an appraisal of his potential, before he submits work directly.
Thank you
Janet
https://masoncult.wordpress.com/
Hi Mason, thank you for stopping by. I enjoyed your creative storytelling on your website.
Debra
http://www.paulwady.com
http://www.stealthaspies.com
Regular Edinburgh/Brighton festival performer in my Guerilla Aspies show – which neurodiversifies audiences. It’s also interactive.
Founded the Stealth Aspies 100% autistic theatre company, now 4 years old. Wrote the Guerilla Aspies – a neurotypical society infiltration manual book.
Photography, badges and t shirts.
Online advocacy (always within Buddhist ethics).
Music as The Model Aircraft Museum to be found on BandCamp and under my name.
Guerilla Aspies podcast as well, on iTunes and Acast.
In the Guardian 2005. I have toured around the UK with shows and played in New York and Dublin.
My two goals are to make sense of being NeuroDivergent in a Dharmic, compassionate and positive way, and to support other advocates.
I am married to another autistic and rove the UK training professionals for the National Autistic Society, which I have striven to change from within for nearly 15 years now.
Thank you. Please be well.
I am a poet and an advocate for my son, David, who is an adult with autism and non verbal.
‘My Autistic Son’s Rebirth’
As I look at my sweet son I would like to ingest him.
Swallow him whole like a two headed prehistoric lizard mammal and
let him be born new again, like the new skin on a lizards back.
Head to come out of the tail and hands and feet out of the belly.
A pain free birth of smiles and hellos, of joy and excellence and verbal verbosity.
Yes, that the most.
That a bunch of non stop words are made.
No more uncomfortable silences, moments to be filled, or pregnant pauses.
No meditative emptiness, but articulation.
Erudite brilliance on every subject.
Talkative social chatter.
Pure eloquence.
No miscommunication , or gesturing, or sign language confusion.
Brilliant verbosity to wash away the years of childhood obedience.
Childhood submission and childhood silences.
No low level position of Germanic endurance.
Of submission.
Of following orders without an echo.
Now words fly as he commands others to follow.
To listen and pay attention.
Now they look and listen as he smiles.
Taking in their respect and admiration.
He responds to their question with immediate answers.
No longer the maligned.
No longer the child, the led.
The words fly without thought from his eloquent mouth.
As I become one of his disciples.
As the host enters him.
As his vessel is filled with his new, true self.
As he smiles and gestures to me.
I, his Mother follow.
Hi, my name is Adrika and I work to help my cousin’s family business “special arts and cards”. My cousin, Ajai, has autism and got into painting a few years ago. After learning that he enjoys making art, we’ve been encouraging him to continue creating and opened up a small family businsss that creates canvases, greeting cards, coasters and more! Would you be able to help promote his work?
Adrika, feel free to share links or email info@artautism.com
Debra
Hi. I wrote an article for DifferentBrains.org entitled: Autism & Communication: I Don’t Understand You… Here’s How You Can Help. Even though it was posted on that site, could you post it on this site, too? Also, I am a poet and an artist. I would like my work to be posted on this site, if possible. Do I need to write an article to go with the artwork in order for it to be posted? What are you looking for in a piece of art? Are any subjects acceptable?
Thanks.
Hi to all,
I happened to just learn about this organisation from a google search and wanted to share a new NFT art project I have been working on with my autistic Aniken.
The project is called Autistic Wonders and I am starting with Ani’s work with the hope to expand and help other similarly challenged children find purpose and a living in life.
We only recently recognised his unique talents with his iPad. He has been creating uniquely adjusted print-screen image captures on his iPad for over 10 years. He is now 15-year-old and it is an interesting way to see him channel his energy into. We try to understand his obsessive nature by observing his unique interests over this period.
I have curating his huge volume of over 20,000 pcs and slowly introducing them on Opensea as NFT’s but will also be offering print copies and hopefully merch if there is ever demand.
You can see them at https://opensea.io/collection/autistic-wonders and also a new ig I have set up. https://www.instagram.com/autistic_wonders_ackc/
Any sales proceeds after fees will be donated to organisations to help autistic children develop artistic careers.
I would love any support possible to see how this project can expand and help more people.
Thank you for your attention.
Matthew (dad)
I wrote a poem about a girl who tried to befriend an Autistic student. I thought it was cute and that someone might enjoy it.
The Boy who Walked in Circles
There’s a boy who walks in circles.
He does this every day.
He follows the same path,
and he doesn’t ever stray.
Sometimes I will walk with him,
and he will hold my hand.
They say that he has Autism.
I’m not sure what he understands.
In class he sits and stares a lot.
Sometimes he makes a scene.
He has even pulled my hair,
but he is not trying to be mean.
I want to be his friend.
I wish that he would play.
But when I try to talk to him,
he pushes me away.
So, every day I follow him.
I pretend we’re playing chase,
and every now and then,
he will pick up the pace.
One day, I was very sick.
I had to stay in bed.
I had a real bad fever,
and a pounding in my head.
When I went back to school,
I couldn’t believe my eyes.
He was running up to me,
after all of my failed tries.
He grabbed my arm and pulled it.
Then he ran away.
He wanted me to chase him.
He wanted me to play!
He may not be able to say it,
but I know that we are friends.
He always comes to find me now.
I hope that never ends.
This is a beautiful poem! Thank you for writing it.
Autism
My son is 5 with what they say is moderate to low functioning autism ,I love him so much and he is so lovely even though he can’t talk.
The issues I have are with his education :he ended up in a school that’s on the more extreme end of the spectrum (end of life kids ,severely genetic defects and extreme autism )even though the local authority agreed and identified the more appropriate school it wasn’t possible as there were too many children on the same level as my son (or who they thought were more suitable)
This school said 20-30 children SHOULD have been there yet only 13 places were available meaning either children went to a mainstream school (which they cant cope with )or went to a facility that was below there needs ,
Our system is broken -every child whether neuro regular or not should have the start they deserve and it upsets me they don’t.
Hello, is it still possible to become an autor for The Art of Autism? I’m autistic as well as ADHD. You can see samples of my writing here: medium.com/@hela.olivier. Thank you.
Yes we take submissions on a rolling basis. We are behind in posting right now so it may take a while for us to post.
D
Hi, I’m the father of a 22 year old autistic poet and junior college student. I am a writer and retired special education teacher. My son went through some rough years age 14 to 19 but we hung together as a family. We realized at age fourteen that he had struggled in school because his verbal speech was unreliable. When he learned to communicate on a letterboard his remarkable intelligence shone through. This is a poem I wrote about how a parent of an autistic can learn how their child’s behavior, no matter how disturbing, does not mean they are intellectually disabled, and does not mean they can’t change, get support to help manage their violent behaviors, and contribute to society their unique talents and qualities. Here’s a poem I write about working through behaviors and staying focused on the inherent intelligence of your autistic child.
Literary Portrayals of Autistic? Characters
by Brian McSweeney-father of autistic
If you’ve seen Lennie in “Of Mice and Men”
You can see the extent of the trouble,
The circumstances that made him liable
For heinous acts only a hell’s denizen
Would be capable of perpetrating.
This dilemma is worth examining
If you’re the father of a teen autistic
The hyperbole can be realistic.
How often have you felt like George,
Lennie’s caretaker, trying to control
The circumstances avoid the trouble
Create a safe bubble for your charge?
In “A Servant to Servants” Frost’s character
Is put in a cage to prevent disaster
But did the caged brother’s circumstance
Have the antecedent of “crossed in love?”
Frost’s logic: “he would do someone a mischief”
The consequent of ill fated romance?
What Frost perhaps could not understand—
The demonic behavior he shows first hand
May not come from disabled intelligence,
But neither Frost nor Steinbeck were privy
To knowledge of autistic neurology.
Take up your spear ageless master of verse
To this delicate matter make words converse!
Do I write comedy or tragedy?
Frost said, “The fun is all in how you [see] a thing.”
This dad spends his days amazed, as for mourning?
Autistics want compassionate strategy.
Oh well, it seems my poem lost it’s line formatting in the posting process. Ouch! Brian
Hello!
I am a mother to a beautiful 4 year old non-verbal son. I am starting a website for parent support for kiddos on the spectrum that have more sensory seeking behaviors. I’d like to be there for parents that feel like they can’t talk to anyone that would understand or how to develop sensory skills that are safer and more manageable for everyone. My website is still in production, but I would like to also ask about blogging on here for the parents prospective and then eventually release my website that is being created.
Take a breath
Take a moment
Don’t push yourself down
You are wonderful
Take the time
To understand yourself
Don’t be like them
You are you
Explore your capabilities
Your are who you won’t to be
Don’t be scared to be in a world of differences
When you want acceptance
There are others like you
don’t downgrade yourself
You are amazing
You are you
*A poem I wrote called You are you. I am on the spectrum, I was diagnosed in primary school. I you use this, don’t pay me. Showing myself shouldn’t cost anything and I want people to be happy.
Natasha, thank you for sharing your beautiful poem.
In Living Color (the life and art of Seth Chwast)
I cannot find anyone with a PayPal account, nor can I open an account without a credit card number to give them [which to me is like sending a signed blank cheque].
Therefore, I’d like to receive my $25 honorarium from The Art of Autism sent to the charity close to my heart, Surrey Community Cat Foundation, which accepts donations via PayPal:
https://www.surreycats.ca/donatemoney
Also, please let me know when the transaction is made.
Thank you, again.