STUDENTS WITH AUTISM BRAVE COVID 19 PANDEMIC WITH CREATIVITY

Local artist, Frank Allen, and several students with autism share how art techniques help them manage difficulties brought on by social effects of the coronavirus.

Together.

Students with autism are braving the covid-19 pandemic with a little creativity.and a lot of inspiration from local artist frank allen who uses his drawings and paintings to help him champion his own obstacles with autism.

Fox 55's mallory beard has the story.

Frank allen moved to fort wayne all the way from england seven years ago.

It was then he realized that drawing calmed his anxiety that came from autism.

Frank allen//artist "and i just started drawing without thinking about it.

And the first piece i did, i was just amazed.

It's just like a feeling of...it just happened because i just let go you know."

Though an adult now, frank can attest to art's therapeutic powers for those with autism like him.

Especially for students with autism enduring the coronavirus pandemic.

Holly merch//woodland elementary school teacher "so students with autism really strive on having routine.

And because we don't have that routine, it's really important that our students have somewhere they can express their feelings and emotions."

Somewhere the students can express their feelings and emotions.

But what about their parents who are feeling overwhelmed too?

Debra muzikar//art of autism co- founder, son has autism "set a schedule.

It's important.

And a lot of times it should be a visual schedule.

That helps the kids and the parents."

Parents like nina schmidt feel for their children during this time.

Nina schmidt//mom of 18-year old son with autism "he's my super extroverted kid.

For him the stress comes from the isolation.

He's struggling with that piece more than anyone in the family."

But like frank allen, art is making a way for schmidt's son even when the path so clear.

Nina schmidt//mom of 18-year old son with autism "goals..art goals for himself.

So he'll decide if he's doing a certain portrait of someone and then he gives himself a deadline for that so he's always working toward something."

Allen//artist "i always felt like, if i did something on paper, it'd have the potential to go wrong if i thought about it too much, then when i discovered just sitting there listening to music, then i'm just going and the art comes out pretty good."

In fort wayne, i'm mallory beard.

Fox 55 news.

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