Autism and art ~ Can it be anything more than therapeutic?

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I'm wondering this because whenever art and Autism occur in the same context it's always narrowly associated with two things; Savants and art therapy.

Savants have select splinter skills that make up for their other disabilities and can be quite proficient at their select skills, such as math, reading, and occasionally art. (Yes, your better than all of us at it Wiltshire, you don't have to have google tell me) Those who are savants for art however, are 'exceptionally gifted' in that it just sort of comes to them, there really is less training or learning involved, although that's not to say it comes completely baseless or free of practice. However often even these savants have narrow art styles that might not be very diverse. (A single subject or field they can memorize or draw, such as buildings,trains, birds,ect)

The association I was interested in was 'Art Therapy', which I feel needs to mention because it really is more of 'Therapy' than anything else. Well I appreciate that it's expressive and allows those with disabilities to communicate issues where they wouldn't be able to otherwise, most of the art remains abstract and the standards are incredibly lenient; that is to say nonexistant. As far as 'art training' goes, it seems to be lacking in any sort of rigor. I'm questioning whether any art produced or trained from it would pass in an art portfolio offered to any real art colledge or whether the art has merit outside it's expression or so calles niche status as 'Autism Art'. (For example, assume the recipient has no knowledge of the applicants autism, how does it fare than if that's not factored in? I'm excluding special programs for this kind of thing as well, if there are such things)

But well, who knows. What do you guys think?

And I'm not merely speaking of 'art therapy', just where the cut-off is for autistic artist in general, since it seems like either you get amazing exceptional savant skills, or you get swindled (with an usually less than exceptional skillset).

I'm not sure what your asking, but I don't see any reason why not.

There are many successful artists with Aspergers. The most famous one I know of is Peter Howson http://www.peterhowson.co.uk/

Most art 'classes' aimed and tailored specially for autistics aren't really real art classes, it seems they're mostly just expressive workshops for play.

And Mummy, autism and aspergers are not always synonymous.

Of course someone with Aspergers can be an artist. Although I have never had art therapy I studied art and from my experience they like to see a few different skills so if work from an art therapy programme was to be used in a portfolio I presume it would need to be accompanied by some other work. I think I know what you mean about art by people on the spectrum sometimes being put into a seperate category. It's a shame that it can't all be on a level playing field, however I think that organisations especially for artists with specific conditions have their place because hopefully they make exhibiting work (which is hard for anyone) more accessible.

I found Art classes in High School quite relaxing and rewarding.
Myself, I also liked creative writing.
Nowdays, I write poetry ( Novels? forget about it. Cannot created 3D characters for the Life of Me..).

Sincerely,
Matthew

Then go take a normal art class instead of therapy.

i go to art therpy every 2 weeks.... have for awile.

i draw alot.

my deviantart - mariofan4.deviantart.com

there is where you see my drawings, also, my avatar picture is what i drew.

So, are you asking only about autism art that excludes people diagnosed with Asperger's? Would you also be excluding HFA?

While one can argue that anyone with Asperger's has autism, the reverse is clearly not true. Some people with austism clearly do NOT have Asperger's.

I was not suggesting that, just that I'm aware of people with Aspergers in particular who are successful artists. I would think it quite likely that there people with ASDs, other than Aspergers, who are also artists. I see no reason why this wouldn't be the case. In fact, my daughter is unlikely to get a diagnosis of Aspergers, more likely PDD-NOS. At 6yrs, she already shows signs of having amazing artisitic talent and would like to be a book illustrator when she's older. I can't see why she doesn't have the same chances as anyone without an ASD.

I like Stephen Wiltshire myself.

http://www.stephenwiltshire.co.uk/

I remember a documentary about him, when he was really young (about 10), and being blown away by his skill. It's great that he's making a very good living from this.

Some people are artists, others not. If there are autism therapy classes not everyone will become a great artist.
Not everyone has this skill. I believe it is inborn or hereditary. My dad was a great artist and each sibling has been artistic in some way. My eldest sister was a painter and she and my brother were musicians. My sister closest to my age was good at drawing too. I'm very good at drawing/ painting animals, technology (spaceships) and landscapes. Our mother isn't good at drawing at all but is a writer and we all get our writing strengths from her. I'm writing my own series which has a lot about art than math in it, and it's science fiction.

Since I was 2 or 3 I've been drawing and I excelled every student in any art class, without realising it. The teachers would just always tell my mum I had a gift and I still get told I have a gift, though I only draw on weekends. I work on projects that I never complete but I suppose it is very calming. When I was 10 I was awarded with a plaque and a shield for my artistic skill. It was a big deal because I was the poorest student, least likely to pass a grade let alone win an award. I didn't even wear my uniform to the event. I wore the orange shirt I wore everyday.

I will never be a mathematician or physicist but I am a talented artist with barely any training, and others may be just the opposite. A lot of people don't believe in right or left brained dominance but I've found those on the spectrum do have a leaning to one side or the other.

I actually don't think I have a superior skill, in fact I still think I draw like I did when I was 10. But I've had pro artists for like 30 years find my regular doodles of dogs and trees amazing. My sister was shocked when I didn't take the drawing home with me.

So..what was I saying? Oh yeah, not everyone can learn to become a great artist. I've tried to get better at math and it just won't happen.

Art therapy can be anything from entertainment to a safe place to relax and engage in one's interests, to truly therapeutic.

In the case of using it to teach autistic children, the goal is to use art as a way to teach communication and interaction in a safe, nonthreatening way with plenty of visual and material interaction to back up the teaching of communication.

Lots of occupational therapists use art therapy, music therapy, and play therapy in general this way. Can be done one-on-one, or in groups with other kids. It's not really anything magic; it's just a good way to engage a child and provide more pathways to learning.