Autism Arts Program

The Autism Initiative Program operated a special project that   offered workshops, resources and a support group to parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) Paola Jordan, the coordinator established a collaboration with the Healing Arts Initiative (HAI) that provides arts programming  to schools and  non-profit organizations.  The 12-week program met weekly from March 11 through June 3, 2014.
The art program enabled children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their parents, opportunities to engage in an afterschool art project with the children designing and making their own puppets. Eight parents and their children participated in this art program; one mother stated "this will be the first time that I will participate in a therapeutic activity with my son rather than waiting next door while the therapist does her work".  The participation of the parents was a major component of the art program which reinforced the social and communication skills taught and which they could then put in practice in their homes.

The parents were encouraged to engage in the promotion and development of language and socials skills of
their children. A professional puppeteer created a variety of activities that lent themselves to these goals including storytelling, singing and other interactive activities. The parents enjoyed the opportunity to be engaged with their children as they worked together to create their puppets.
A video was produced of this program that will give you a good idea of the project and its intended outcomes.

Here is a link to the video on YouTube:

Sinergia's Autism Art program