"Tiger-Person" a free-hand (free-mouse) computer painting original by Samantha Shockey
Finding appropriate leisure-time activities for autistic children isn't easy. The goal is to discover different things that they can do by themselves that are stimulating, soothing, enriching, or otherwise positive. That, I believe, is what the experts mean by "appropriate". The problem is, most autistic kids, probably like a lot of typical kids, would much prefer the inappropriate leisure-time activities. Case in point, last year the appliance repair guy was here at my house (no, Sam didn't do anything this time), and he was telling me about a house that he gets repeated calls to that has an autistic girl. Someone, we won't say who,put a watermelon in the dryer and turned it on! It was not a seedless watermelon. Stop and imagine this for a moment. I have never repeated this story in front of Sam and I never will. I think the someone in question is Sam's class mate.
This evening when I went to boot Sam off the computer and into the tub, I was horrified to find that all the icons on my desk top had quadrupled in number and that the tool bar at the bottom was filled with duplicates all the way across. This concerns me because I have stuff stored in this computer that I consider important--like a novel, an E-book, and many photos that I intend to use. Here is an example of what Sam can do:
I'm not sure how Sam managed this. Not long ago, this was a really sweet (and clear) picture of Miranda and Sam on their Aunt Cheryl's porch. This is an inappropriate leisure-time activity.
I can't supervise her constantly. She needs her space like anyone else and she will firmly request, "Mom, the door!" Meaning, get out of here and leave me alone. Unfortunately for me, I'm usually getting kicked out of my own bedroom and off my own computer. I'd go completely crazy if I had to stick to her like a prison guard. So there is some risk of damage being done, but at the same time, I have to give her her space.
Sam's previous past-times have included breaking cartons of eggs on the floor, over-flowing bath tubs and sinks in order to easily break dance, and peeling large sections of paint off the walls--Sam was responsible for the paint-peeled map of Alaska in the women's restroom at the Wheelwatch. Responsible adults are the ones who took permanent black marker and filled in all the place names. Inappropriate leisure-time activity.
Sam loves to draw. Most of the time she traces and then colors in her masterpieces. Most people probably wouldn't consider this art, but think Andy Warhol. Sam's tracings are amazing. Watching Sam draw is fascinating. She doesn't hold her writing utensil like most people. You or I would have trouble writing or drawing anything using Sam's pencil grip, but she is precise.
The photo at the top is a drawing that Sam did last night on my computer using a Paint program. She sometimes uses it on my photos, unfortunately, but this one was a blank canvas. She free-hands the mouse and her care and precision and deliberation are fascinating. I have tried to copy her technique and it isn't easy!
I don't know a lot about art, but, as they say, I know what I like. I like what Sam can do. I'm intrigued by her perception an perspective. I wish she could express herself verbally better and let us know what is going on in her head. But in the mean time, I'm content with what she creates.
Samantha Shockey, the artist and her medium.
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