|
Lamont Smith, Marquis Posey and Tyler Buck present their masks at school.
MILWAUKEE - Maxine Platt, a special education teacher at Milwaukee King High School, and her students held an art show May 12 at Whole Foods Market in Milwaukee.
Since the beginning of the year, Platt’s students have worked on pieces with art teacher Thomas Haslett. Platt noticed her students’ pieces were from recycled material, which inspired her to think green and find accommodations for an art show.
“My students love coming to this school because it’s ‘Rufus King.’ They find great pride in being a part of the school; hopefully this experience can enhance their feeling of accomplishment and pride,” she said.
Platt is not the only one that anticipated the opening. Her students were also excited to show off their work.
Lamont Smith, senior and student of Platt felt very proud of his pieces. Smith’s cheetah mask was made of many recycled items: paper bags, tissue paper and cardboard.
“I like making animals, I like to do 3-D art, like sculptures,” he said.
Freshman Marquis Posey, however, felt nervous about coming to the show. Posey’s creation of a penguin mask made from recycled materials and a wire sculpture were displayed Tuesday.
“[My favorite part] is finishing the project, I like painting it too,” he said.
Platt knew the showing would help her students socialize with others and receive needed recognition for their hard work.
“I love art both in my personal and professional life. It is a great way for anybody to express themselves, but a particularly great way for students with autism who struggle to find a way to express what they are thinking or seeing in their mind’s eye,” she said.
Platt’s students rarely receive recognition within school. She says she often hears the term “retard” in the hallways, which is used by many people as a negative connotation.
“In Rufus King we have clubs to help combat ignorance towards different ethnicities or cultures, but there isn’t really a ‘club’ for the special education population. These are the ways I see [special education students] falling through the cracks,” she said.
WHAT IS AUTISM?
Autism is a complex disability that appears during a child’s first three years of life. It affects the person’s ability to communicate and interact well with others. Autism has many different degrees but is defined by a certain set of behaviors.
Prevalence of Autism in America
1 in 150 children
1 in 94 boys
[February 2007, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]
Information from the Autism Society of America: www.autism-society.com
EARLY SIGNS OF AUTISM
Delay or lack of spoken language
Repetitive use of language and/or motor mannerisms (e.g. hand-flapping, twirling objects)
Little or no eye contact
Lack of interest in peer relationships
Lack of spontaneous or make-believe play
Persistent fixation on parts of objects
Information from the Autism Society of America: www.autism-society.com
|
