Children with autism are so variable in their abilities and talents. However, most of them struggle in meeting the demands of the traditional educational system. Some children with autism are luck in the sense that persuasive parents or other people around them mould the system in such a way that becomes supportive of the individual. When this happens, we get talented successful and happy adults with autism.
Unfortunately, in the majority of the cases, this does not happen and subsequently, children shut down and become reclusive, rebel and become challenging in their behaviours or underachieve their potential. In any of these situations, we lose a wonderful talent, a magnificent individual and an asset to the world we are living in.
Sense Kaleidoscope led by Akshayee Shetty who has an art background and Anima Nair who has techie background, strives to create an environment for children and adults with autism where they can achieve their true potential using art assisted by the right educational technique and technology.
I was so impressed in my visit to the centre in December 2018 by their dedication to this cause, the systematic approach to building an educational process and highly creative use of resources.
Akshayee has done a TEDxBMSCE talk on this work and her ambition. This talk is very informative.
Sense Kaleidoscope ’s aim is not only to use art as a medium for educating children (which of course they do in a number of creative ways) but also create a sustainable career for the talented artists with autism. They do this by presentation in important events like “art biennale”. There is very little efforts currently in creating a sustainable career for people with autism. A great effort by Akshayee and Anima. Please check out their Facebook page and Instagram.
