Celebrating the Artmaking of Children with Autism

Abstract

This article addresses the art process of some celebrated artists with autism, such as Nadia (1977), Stephen Wiltshire (1987, 1995), and Jessica Park (1967, 2001). There is a limited amount of literature and research in the field of art education on children with autism who demonstrate talent and skill in the visual arts. A recent study reported that 1 out of every 150 children is diagnosed with autism in the United States (Carey, 2007). When engaged in artmaking, some children with autism demonstrate repetitive behavior and a narrow area of interest. The likelihood is high that an art teacher may have a student with autism in an inclusive art classroom (Furniss, 2007). Artmaking for some children with autism may be an opportunity to learn in the arts, as well as an opportunity to learn other subjects through the arts (Furniss, 2008).