New Art Exhibition Creates Greater Awareness of Autism
Jakarta. The Indonesian Autism Foundation, or YAI, in collaboration with the London School Center of Autism Awareness, opened an art exhibition, themed "We Can Do It," at Grand Indonesia shopping mall in Central Jakarta on Thursday (13/04).
"People with autism are great individuals," Ferina Widodo, coordinator of YAI, said during a press conference. "With this exhibition, we want to show that [people with autism] can also do great things, if people accept them and give them a chance."
Seventy-five artworks, consisting of paintings, illustrations, digital images, origami and poems by children with autism, will be on display in the mall's fountain atrium until April 23.
On weekends during the exhibition, the mall will also host a series of art and music performances by children with autism.
"There are many ways to communicate," said Chrisdina Wempi, head of the London School Center of Autism Awareness. "While children with autism may have troubles in expressing themselves verbally, they can excel at expressing themselves through art or music."
Acceptance Is Key
"Very few people in Indonesia understand autism," Ferina said. "And many parents still feel ashamed of their autistic children and keep them at home, thus limiting their ability to grow and develop their talents."
Ferina left her acting and singing career in the mid-1990s to raise her autistic second child, Wisnubroto.
"Since he was a baby, I've noticed that he was different than his siblings," the 56-year-old said. "He was hyperactive, but difficult to understand words."
It took many years for Ferina and her husband to get their son properly diagnosed and treated.
"He's now 23 years old and on his second year studying at the IPB [Bogor Institute of Agriculture]," Ferina said.
Parents' unconditional love and acceptance, according to Ferina, are key to autistic children doing well in their lives.
"When God entrusted us with children with special needs, he will always provide a way [for those children to do well in their lives]," Ferina said. "The parents should only believe and keep on developing their potential."
To better understand their autistic children, parents should continuously find more information on autism.
"Be smart parents," Ferina said. "Always dig for more information [on autism]. There are now a lot of resources online. And you can also connect with other parents [with autistic children] through YAI, if you want to."
Parents should also actively campaign to get more people to understand and accept people living with autism.
"Be tireless in spreading awareness about autism," Ferina said. "People should open their eyes and accept people with autism among them. Schools and workplaces should also give more opportunities for people with autism."
To spread more awareness on the cause and encourage people with autism to show their talent, YAI and LSCAA will hold the first Indonesia Autism Games at the Students Sport Center in Ragunan, South Jakarta, on May 20-21. The event will showcase various sport competitions, as well as fun games for children and adults living with autism.
"It's also a pre-event for the Asean Autism Games, which will be held in Jakarta in 2018," Ferina said.
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