How inclusion empowers artists with autism

MANILA, Philippines – Growing up, Samantha Kaspar, now 20, showed a huge interest in the arts, and spent most of her days painting and drawing. 

Having autism was not a problem. She expressed herself through her art – despite a childish style, her paintings are expressive, using a myriad of colors to narrate the story of each artwork.

Now, Kaspar is one of the 5 artists with autism commissioned by Banana Peel, a local slipper brand, with Unilab Foundation to design flip-flops with the theme “Explore in Color.” (READ: Amid challenges, artists with special needs shine)

The products’ designs aim to spark hope among people with special needs by including them in this project. (READ: Artist coping with autism makes it big)

“Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are an untapped resource for businesses and communities – they just need the right conditions,” said Grant Javier, Program Manager of Project Inclusion.

Javier said that harnessing their exceptionalities in the workplace is good for the business, good for the organization, and good for the PWDs themselves.

For Michelle Kaspar, mother of Samantha, this opportunity does not only showcase their child’s talent but also sends a message that despite challenges of being autistic, in one way or another, they can become assets of the community.

Kaspar found herself indulging in the world of colorful scenes. Through art, she expresses her imagination and interpretation of the world around her in the most creative way. 

Aside from Kaspar, there are other persons with autism who are expressing themselves through art. 

Juan Gabriel Alegre was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at 3. He underwent intensive behavioral, occupational, and speech therapy. Despite this, he started to go a regular school, where he excelled. As a reward, he requested to have painting lessons.

He finds calm and amusement in painting – his stress reliever from the rigors of academics. Nature, insects, and animals are his usual subjects.

Victor Cham was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder when he was two. During his early years, he started showing interest in colors, which he later expressed in his drawings and paintings.

Chico is a young adult with Autism. His talent emerged when he was 4, when he started sculpting animals from clay.

He enjoys drawing and creating short comic books, birthday cards, and even stop-motion videos. His works are inspired by Van Gogh and Claude Monet, ignited by still life, abstract, and landscapes techniques.

Daniel is a 16-year-old boy diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He is one of the 8 artists in the Fashion Arts Autism Benefits Project (FAAB) by Autism Hearts Foundation, Inc.

Having difficulty in speaking, he communicates and expresses his feelings through his artwork, which are mostly figurative.

Project Inclusion

“Parents of these special children should be proud of them because they’re the first one to believe in their kid’s special talent,” said Unilab Foundation Executive Director Lilibeth Aristorenas.

Since 2013, Project Inclusion has employed 124 PWDs through supported employment, enterprise groups, and commissioned artworks by exceptional artists. The Banana Peel line is the latest effort to support PWD artists. (READ: Path to inclusion: La Salle college guides PWD learners)

Project Inclusion enables employment by carefully matching the PWD jobseeker’s skills with the skills required by potential employers through a job matching portal for PWDs. It also provides transition support for both job seekers and employers in a series of training and coaching sessions to maximize the capacity of every PWDs without being a burden to their employers. (READ: A PWID’s success story: Angelo Jardeleza in his workplace)

Samantha, together with the other artists with autism, prove that indeed everyone is unique in our ways. As one line in the hit Disney song “How Far I’ll Go” goes, “everything is by design.” –Rappler.com