Art of autism book features Utah artist

Ben Diez struggled to put together a sentence until he was nearly 4 years old. Although he developed just like any other child at first, he started to lose his verbal and social skills at 18 months old.
Following years of misdiagnosis, Diez's struggles were finally identified as high-functioning autism.
According to Autism Speaks, the nation's largest autism advocacy group, autism is an array of complex developmental brain disorders. Symptoms include developmental, social and communication difficulties and are often accompanied by repetitive behaviors.

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Art by Ben Diez

This drawing by Ben Diez of Layton, Utah, was recently published in \"Artism — The Art of Autism.\"

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Diez, from Layton, wasn't able to learn to read until he reached junior high, but at age 9 he began making complex origami creations by following pictorial instructions.
It became evident that although some things were difficult for Diez, he was visually and spatially gifted.
In seventh grade, Diez learned to draw. His abilities and love of creating have grown from there. Art has become an outlet for his incredible talent and indomitable spirit.
"Autism has been the gift that has allowed me to develop and excel in art," he said.
Diez's talent, along with that of more than 50 other autistic artists, is featured in the new book "Artism: The Art of Autism," created by Debra Hosseini. This book showcases the artistic abilities of incredible people and strives to display them as something more than autistic.
"The challenge (of this project) was to allow the art to illuminate creativity rather than 'disability,'" said Hosseini, the mother of a child with autism. "Autism manifests itself differently in each person diagnosed. (It) becomes part of their personality, and many of the artists appreciate certain qualities of their autism."
"Artism: The Art of Autism" reveals the imaginative abilities of autistic artists from around the world. Like Diez, several other artists live in the United States. However, the book also highlights the creations of artists from Australia, England, India, Pakistan and Canada. They range in age from grade-schoolers to 60somethings.
Siobhan Forrster of Palm Coast, Fla., is only 8, but her paintings are ethereal and striking.
"This is the beautiful and very special side of autism that most people don't see," Siobhan's mom said. "We want to share it with the world so parents don't see autism as a death sentence."
Hosseini hopes that this book has the power to alter people's vision of this disorder.
"I hope this book will shift people's perception of autism and will give hope to parents."
Diez, now 23, recently partnered with animators at BYU on a project. He has harnessed his abilities and powered through his struggles to become something more than just his diagnosis.
"Artism: The Art of Autism" gives autistic artists a voice, and that voice is beautiful.
For more information about the book, visit artismtoday.com

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700139905/Art-of-autism-book-features-Utah-artist.html