Saturday, 27 February 2010
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Art Therapy for Autism
Yesterday my husband and I went on a field trip. Yes, grown ups still go on field trips. This one was very special to us. We are the founders of a non-profit for children and families affected by autism and we received an email from the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art (http://www.brooksmuseum.org). Sidebar: what a wonderful place! Anyway, they were thinking of putting of putting on an exhibit in the fall that focused on autism therapy. And, they thought of The Dockery Foundation! We were thrilled, to say the very least!In a previous blog, I talked about our art therapy program. How important I thought it was for children with autism to be engaged with art. Children with autism are (in my opinion) such visual learners. Art helps them connect, focus, and learn.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art has an art therapist on staff. Her name is Karen Peacock. She is wonderful! Art therapy is her passion! Most recently, she worked with veterans at our local VA. The work was extraordinary.
This is a chalk sketch one of the veterans drew. Karen said it started as a sketch drawn with the opposite hand, eyes closed. Scribbled, in circles. Then, the artist opened his eyes and finished the rest from the scribble with his artist’s hand. What a great art therapy project! And you can’t argue the results! What a beautiful piece it is!!
Our non-profit is in discussions with Brooks Museum to do an art therapy project with Karen Peacock. Selecting several of the children that we serve (that show promise in art) come and work with Mrs. Peacock. What an amazing opportunity this will be for the autism community of the Mid-South! And for our community as well.
Memphis Brooks Museum is one of those places that you know is always going to be there. You know you’re going to go “one of these days”….but you never quite get around to going? I encourage everyone who lives close to Memphis to take their families and go! What a gem we have in the Brooks! And I promise, our joint autism therapy project between the Memphis Brooks Museum and The Dockery Foundation. I will keep you posted on when it will take place and on all of the exciting details!
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About the Author
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- From: askdebaboutautism
- About Me: I’m a homebody. I love being with my guys and having friends over. There’s nothing better. I am so blessed with the most incredible friends! Old and new! And our “autism family” as well. One person shouldn’t be so blessed, but I am so thankful! And my strong belief in the Lord has gotten me through so many difficult times in my life! He is everything, He has given me so much!
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Comments (9)
go art therapy!!! as a music therapy student, i've seen how all the creative arts therapies can help people with autism communicate and thrive. it's awesome. that sounds like a really neat program!
I think art therapy in an exciting and an excellent idea and I wish you all the
best for the upcoming project.
Art therapy is a creative way to encourage people to learn more about autism and support the cause. By participating in the activities, the autistic community and their loved ones are able to reach out and communicate with each other through exciting projects. Sales from the art will also help to raise funds.
my daughter works with Art possibilities in Miami. (actually Ft Lauderdale) This has a lot of hope. Appreciate the post!
i work with a lot of autistics and i think that is beautiful :)
we use Art a lot with our young autistic students. Almost all of them love it. They are particularly good at fine details and proportion. Everything in their pictures has a meaning and a story behind it.
http://deanburnep.primaryblogger.co.uk/
What an amazing idea! It's wonderful that the museum wanted to include you in their project. Keep us posted!
On a side note: As an art therapy student who did an internship at a school for children with autism, I can say that they--the kids--taught me more than I ever imagined!! The lessons I learned from them are now helping me work with children with behavioral/emotional disorders.
The Queens Museum of Art and ArtAccess salute your efforts to make your museum more accessible for visitors with special needs!
Warm regards from your friends in Queens!
Michelle López, Sr. Coordinator, ArtAccess Library Programs & Autism Initiatives at the Queens Museum of Art in NY mlopez@queensmuseum.org
Olá Autisable ,
Querida , sou Ray, Mãe de Filipe do site www.arteautismo.com
Moro no Brasil Janeiro.
Eu blog Seu amei , MUITO BOM !
Sinto ( Sorry) não ter nao Brasil Memphis Brooks Museu de Arte.
Como autistas Crianças do Brasil nao sao estimuladas UM Por Projeto AO Igual do Memphis Brooks Museu de Arte. ISSO triste Muito .
Artistas OS Todos do Brasil estao Sós Nesta Caminhada .
Um abraço grande .
Ray