The Art of Autism: Shifting Perceptions is a new book by Debra Hosseini, featuring four of the eight artists whose works were recently chosen by the United Nations Postal Administration, as well as Hosseini’s youngest son, Kevin.
…Debra is the co-founder of the Art of Autism collaborative and curates art shows. Her prior book was Artism: The Art of Autism: Shattering Myths about Those Living on the Spectrum . The Art of Autism: Shifting Perceptions takes the reader beyond her first book to explore autism, creativity, family, late diagnosis, and alternate means of communication in much more depth.
In addition to writing, Debra is in charge of maintaining The Art of Autism website, securing venues for artists/poets, hanging art shows, and the regular Art of Autism newsletter. She doesn’t do dishes!
Below is more on Debra’s son youngest son, Kevin Hosseini. Note the way that regularly engaging in a passion (like painting) can help a person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder deal with Depression. Autism Spectrum Disorders come inevitably with numerous problems (at least with regards to fitting into the neurotypical society) and it is no surprise that many on the Autism Spectrum are likely to suffer with Depression issues as well…
…Now 16, Kevin began painting in 2003 when he was nine years old. Painting has allowed Kevin to develop confidence and to express himself, first through watercolors, and now, primarily in oil paintings. He likes to use natural elements, such as sticks and dirt in his paintings.
…Kevin has won numerous awards for his art, which has been on display in governmental and nonprofit offices in Santa Barbara and Sacramento, California. Currently, 55 of his paintings are also on display at the Koegel UCSB Autism Clinic, and his work is featured on the covers of the Normal Films documentary ARTS (2009) and the book Raising Brandon: Creating a Path to Independence for Your Adult “Kid” with Autism & Special Needs . Two of his paintings are part of the traveling East Coast show Don’t Dis the Ability .
…“Kevin went into a depression at age 14, and the only thing he continued to do on a regular basis was paint,” says Debbie. “He painted probably 75 paintings in six months. One day, he kind of woke up and looked around the art studio like he noticed it for the first time. All his paintings were on the walls. He said, ‘Mom, I really like this place. I like the paintings.’ It was as if he was seeing them for the first time. Painting has given him a sense of continuity through some difficult times. ”
Some of Kevin Hosseini’s artwork can be viewed via the following link: http://www.kindtree.org/marketplace/artists/kevin-hosseini
(sources: Debra Hosseini - Author, The Art of Autism Shifting Perceptions | The Art of Autism ; The Art of Kevin Hosseini … )