I found how celtic art therapy plates are popular among autistic people because of the repeated patterns and bright colors. (http://www.celticarttherapy.com/celtic-art-therapy-applications/celtic-art-therapy-and-autism/)
"Autistic individuals who have a “logical” mindset focused on solving problems in a specific order have responded to the Celtic Cross Art Therapy Plate, mostly because the Celtic Cross Art Therapy design has a logical, angular layout. The Blue Celtic Cross Art Therapy Plate is the most tranquil, and as a result has been observed to help calm the Autistic mind. Likewise, the Elemental Celtic Cross Art Therapy Plate has been observed to help focus the Autistic mind, but in a more stimulating way given the changing colors. "
However, as I am currently reading Temple Grandin's Thinking in Pictures, I find some interesting points. She talks about disturbances-- "a minor disturbance could cause an intense reaction." Thus, to get autistic people get used distractions and minor disturbances is important and helpful. "She felt fortunate that she encouraged to interact with people and was seldom allowed to retreat to the world of rocking or spinning objects, which helped her to grow."(53) I feel more certain after reading this that though things that calm autistic people down and make them feel most content comfort them, they still have to deal with the daily life, so it is essential that they are exposed to them rather than indulged in the "spinning and rocking objects."
At last week's Emma Willard School Mini Maker Faire, I got a chance to talk with Julie Roth, an artist and a mother of a son with Asperger Syndrom who had made videos about autism and did a presentation about evolution and autism at Emma. She talked about the Picture Exchange Communication which enabled autistic children to communicate with pictures. She also mentioned tactile simulation and suggested me that I could maybe making the pages of the book with very soothing material so that kids will feel like turning the pages and looking at my illustrations.
Wow! Thinking more about material is a very interesting idea. I wonder if that would change your printing process? It's interesting to see how much your approach has evolved since you started doing more research. It's a great time to continue interviewing as many people as you can.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting, Summer. I am curious about the point of focus and the progression to handling distraction. The shapes and repetition of form in the celtic example could do both in dealing the point of focus and multiplicity of content.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to more!