Raising awareness of autism through art

Twelve Emirati students were asked to spend time with autistic children who use art for therapeutic means, and then produce artworks that reflect how they perceive the experience of an autistic child.

The paintings will be displayed this weekend alongside the work of children at the Abu Dhabi Autism Centre, in an exhibition called Perceptions. The aim of the exhibition is to combine the artists’ perception of autism and the reality of autism and to notice the similarities and discrepancies.

Now in its second year, the initiative is hosted by Invest AD, an investment company in the capital that conceived the idea as part of its corporate social responsibility.

“The aim of the Perceptions exhibition is to change people’s understanding of autism through artistic collaboration,” explains Manar Al Hinai, the head of corporate communications at Invest AD. “Art is an important part of an autistic students’ education, providing an expressive way for them to communicate. Invest AD is proud to continue to support such a deserving cause and we look forward to doing more to help autistic children reach their full potential.”

In September, the artists, all students or recent graduates, visited the autism centre to spend time with the children between the ages of 5 and 12.

Original article by Anna Seaman

Continue reading at The National:

Raising awareness of autism through art