PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Colleen Ott decided to start The Autistic Art Coalition of Philadelphia back in 2022 when she heard about an individual being bullied because they were autistic.
“I said heck no!” Ott recounted.
The coalition’s various art groups incorporate things like drawing, water colors, and even photography to build motor skills and more for autistic youth.
“I’ve been able to take all my lived experience and teaching I’ve done and put it all together and with the help of professionals,” said Ott.
Ott said the outlet provided by The Autistic Art Coalition was much needed when it was founded after the worst of COVID in 2022.
“There was no art for individuals who are autistic, neurodivergent or who had intellectual disabilities because the pandemic wiped it all out,” she said.
Now, two years later, the end result is an equally diverse community where non-verbal and autistic youth who once felt like outsiders can now thrive together through expression.
“They can get out how they’re feeling, what is going on in what they’re thinking…communication,” said Ott.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated where the organization operates. The current article reflects that change.