Highlighting Nature

Being a mother of autistic kids, I often wonder how they relate to their world.  I never know how they see the world; what pops into their minds when they hear, see, or feel something.  Nature, for instance, provides a myriad of opportunities for the senses to experience the world.

One of my favorite places on earth is the beach.  All the senses embrace input. I love it.  I am not sure if my boys appreciate the same gratitude of the beach's natural beauty. When I ask them, they can't really put into words what they do or don't experience.

Through this photo shop class, Ryan is conveying what he sees.  Quite an eye-opener.

Literally!

A couple of weeks ago Mike took the boys to Yosemite. The camera busily recorded all the beautiful sites and tiring hikes the guys endeavored.  Ryan took some of the photos to his class, and he "enhanced" them.  For once, I get to see inside Ryan's thoughts.  He's highlighting what he sees.  He's using colors that I wouldn't necessarily relate to the scene; nonetheless, his interpretation of nature yields spectacular, striking images.

I can't wait to see the next set of photos!!

A Picture Is Worth A 1000 Words

Ryan's showing the different colors of Yoda!  Ryan is creating these images through his photo shop class--a class we hope will lead to a trade.

Ryan took three college computer classes last semester.  He did well, earning As.  However, he decided that college is not for him.  Listening to lectures, taking tests, and finishing homework tremendously burdens Ryan.  Mike and I responded, "Ok, but you need to be working towards a job."  We have stressed to Ryan that government support is not an option.  What the government can give, the government can take away.  He must develop his own means to support himself.  We hope that he'll find a talent or skill that he loves and build a career from it.

Ryan agreed because he wants to be independent, but he didn't really have a plan of what to pursue.  Ryan has been in vocational/rehabilitation for two years, and that, so far, has produced nothing.  In fact, it has been a very frustrating process, but that is another story.

In my research I found a company that wanted to hire young adults on the autism spectrum.  The company's name is RMG Imaging Artists.  http://www.rmgia.com/  What a blessing!  The training is in photo shop. At first Ryan was not so willing to participate, but he quietly attended.

Over the last few months he found that he enjoys this class. Ryan has liked taking art classes in the past.  These classes are no exception.  Whether Ryan realizes it or not, he is very creative, which is not thought to be very typical of autism.  These classes demand focus and perfection while being creative.  It's a perfect mix for Ryan.

I'll focus more on the company in my next blog entry.