News
An undiscovered talent!
Michael DeKunder first came to the Autism Treatment Center as a student when we opened our San Antonio school in 1978. Now 52, Michael has been an ATC resident since 1991 and attends our weekday Meaningful Living, Meaningful Work program. While our long-time staff know Michael very well, no one, not even his own family, knew what a talented artist he was. The discovery of Michael’s artistic talent came last year when ATC hired art instructor Linda Evans to teach classes on Wednesday afternoons. She began with three adults one-on-one, focusing on their individual abilities and interests. When she first started painting with Michael, he was very shy and wouldn’t look her in the eye. If she asked him a question, he would only say “yes”, if he said anything at all. Linda’s primary goal was for Michael to have fun but she also wanted him to learn something from each session. In the year they have been working together, Linda has seen amazing changes in him. “I have taught him how to sing the entire song “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and he will now say my name and give me names for his paintings,” Linda says. “If I point or ask him what something is, he will tell me it is a vase or tree. For Michael to speak to me, telling me what color the leaves are and what we just painted is significant.” Michael’s art lessons have resulted in dozens of beautiful paintings that have been gifted to family members and sold at community art events. For Linda, the outcomes are much more personal. “Michael is still very quiet but I take him out of his quiet zone, have him dance and sing with me, and remind him that he can trust me before we paint. I am very thankful for Michael and feel blessed to have shared this past year with such a wonderful and talented man." |
Seeking artists with autism!
ATC is seeking artists for the annual Art for Autism Exhibit & Fair on March 1, 2020 in San Antonio. This free community event gives artists with autism an opportunity to display, sell, and promote their art! 10% of sales to benefit Autism Treatment Center. Save the Date
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Grand Opening in San Antonio
In May, ATC cut the ribbon on our brand new 20,000 sqft. Learning & Opportunity Center! Check out our video from the celebration below. We were honored to have opening remarks from U.S. Representative Will Hurd, Councilman Clayton Perry, District 10, and John Courage for District 9 . |
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