2021-05-26

Art offers expression to autistic, non-verbal resident

An autistic and non-verbal resident of an Adult Residential Care (ARC) facility for more than 25 years, Tony Brown certainly has his challenges.

But what Brown, who is in his mid-50s, also has is artistic talent, which deserves recognition according to Jordan Baker. Baker is an instructor at the LaHave LITES lifeskills program in Dayspring, Lunenburg County, of which Brown is a participant.

"Regardless of what Tony paints, the finished result always has a unique, folksy quality that is very pleasing to look at. We have his paintings on display throughout the building, but we feel that his talents need to be shared with the people in our community. During these dark times, it would be nice to have a little colour shine through," Baker said in reaching out to LighthouseNOW by email.

The LaHave Learning Independence Through Everyday Skills, or LITES program, has been teaching lifeskills such as cooking and laundry since 2012. It's a day education program that caters to the broader community as well as residents of the ARC In which it operates - LaHave House, formerly LaHave Manor - which is owned by Riverview Enhanced Living Society.

The facility's 66 residents have varying degree of disabilities, including schizophrenia and autism, and range in age from their early 20s to their 90s.

The Riverview Enhanced Living Society describes itself on its website as "a community of care, support and advocacy for adults with diverse abilities."

With COVID-19 health restrictions, its LITES program has been restricted to residents of LaHave House only.

Baker explained that since Brown has no verbal communication skills, like many others who are autistic he may express anger, frustration or happiness through various sounds. Painting, according to his instructor, is another means by which he expresses himself.

Also like many of those on the autistic spectrum, Brown is often highly focused and detail-oriented. Seemingly, according to Baker, he finds the painting process relaxing.

"When he does it, he's fixated on it," his instructor said in a phone interview with LighthouseNOW. "He'll go until you tell him to stop, basically."

Baker admitted to enjoying painting himself, though he suggested he's not very good at it.

"What he's been creating over years now, for paintings and stuff, to me it's amazing ... I would just like to see it, that it be shown, just because you are in a facility that you live in, a group home or something, there are talents there," said Baker. "You don't have to be classically trained to be a musician. Or you don't have to go to art school to become a painter. It's within you."

Brown's autism, according to his instructor, "does not define who is and what he is capable of. He is a very smart man and is not hindered by his inability to communicate in a traditional sense," said Baker.