Art by Two Autistic Kids

Tooting Nick and Meghan's horn!!

One of Nick’s paintings was on exhibit this week at the Plymouth Center for the Arts through his school program called: Plymouth Public Schools’ Youth Arts Month Exhibit.



Obviously, the "artist" is not standing next to his work of art because he was embarrassed and damning me the whole time (at least that was my interpretation). Nick is a very shy guy, and if he knew that we were there for his painting, he would have refused for us to go, rejected the whole idea, and cursed out his art teacher (at least to me) for the “What’s the big idea” for hanging one of his paintings for exhibit, and for all the world to see, too!! ........... Ok, well just Plymouth!

But he noted his painting while we gushed and praised and asked for his autograph--and if it were up to me I would have called the local paper, too!! But Nick turned and walked away--as a shy, modest guy just might do.

But I was very proud of him. Not only for his art, but for what he didn’t say to a lady who was sitting in the reception area and asking people to sign in… She had a face condition, not sure what it was exactly, but it did look pretty shocking… and if the previous years were any indication, my kids would have let her know it, too. Meghan might have walked right up to her and examined her (like a doctor)… and Nick would have mentioned to me that something was wrong with her face in the most descriptive way he could… and within earshot of the poor woman, too--um, like right in front of her face…

Oh, those were the interesting years…

But not this time; Meghan didn’t make a scene and Nick waited, at least until we were safely back at our car, to say: “Hey, Mom, that lady's face didn’t look handsome.”

"Yes, Nick, I know, not everyone can be as handsome as you--or talented!!”

Being careful not to hurt someone's feelings (or understanding other people's "feelings") isn’t something Nick completely understands--still--but a least he has learned to discuss his “observations” with me in private!

Take a look at his recent skeleton and Meghan’s mask (or face) painting that is hanging on my wall: