Awesome awareness

IOWA CITY – Lisa Burns' son, Peyton, has hundreds of characteristics.

He funny, he's sweet. He's silly, he's naughty.

“He's all of these things, but the minute you say ‘autism,' that's all people see,” Burns says.

As any parent of a child on the autism spectrum will tell you, there's more to autistic children than the label. That is why a group of parents has come together to create the “Awesome Autism Awareness Art Project Art Show.”

The art show, which will be held during Autism Awareness Month in April, will feature art projects by Johnson County youth on the autism spectrum. Everything from drawing and painting, photography and videos, music and baking will be showcased.

“We want to give kids a chance to showcase their talents and celebrate their achievement,” Burns says.

Griselda's Calderon's son, Rodrigo, plans to share some of his photography. The 21-year-old started taking photographs when he was 12.

Each holiday, his mom says, resulted in a better camera.

“He always has a camera, he's always taking photos and is so cheerful,” Burns says of Rodrigo. “It's part of his personality. We want to give others a chance to see this side of our children.”

The event will also act like an information resource fair with pamphlets about local therapies, support groups and services available.

“We want to be advocates for all the parents who just got the diagnosis,” says Dayrin Lovan. “We want to be a support system, be a resource, for them.”

Lovan remembers sitting at a table surrounded by doctors when her son, JB, was diagnosed with autism. They could only tell her what he had, not what he'd be able to do.

“We had all this information, but we didn't know what was next,” she recalls.

What's next varies from child to child, family to family. Autism affects every person differently.

“Parents of autistic children love to share the quote ‘If You've Met One Person with Autism, Then You've Met One Person with Autism' because it's so true,” Burns says.

There are similarities and traits, but the combination is always different. Burns hopes the art show will be an opportunity for the public to gain a deeper understanding of autism, to look beyond the label to see the children for who they are. In fact, that quote will be featured in an interactive art project during the fair.

“Having a child diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder doesn't have to be the end of the world,” Burns says. “If we can get just one person to realize something that it's something that can be managed, that it's just on piece of a person's personality, then my job is done.”

“If we can find the right therapies, we can help our children be the best they can be,” Lovan adds.

All Johnson County youth on the autism spectrum – autism, Asperger syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified – are invited to participate in the art show. Submissions of all art forms will be accepted, including performance art. Parents may also submit photos or written stories of their journey raising a child on the autism spectrum.

All submissions must be identified and include a signed release. To obtain a copy of the release, e-mail awesomeartshow@yahoo.com.

All submissions by be submitted by March 1. These can also be e-mailed to awesomeartshow@yahoo.com.

“We are just so excited to put this together because often we're looking at children's challenges,” says Elizabeth Delsandro, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Iowa.

The art show, she says, will focus on their ability, while also giving families a place to meet and increasing autism awareness in the community.

“We have no idea what the turnout will be, but it would be great if we could do this every year,” Delsandro says.