My Own World

About 'My Own World' • Student Portfolio

About 'My Own World'

'My Own World' is a photography project which is unique and maybe even the first one in the world, being aimed at creating and teaching a curriculum for photography to individuals with moderate to severe autism and other developmental disabilities. Inspired by positive psychology theory and research, the focus of this project is to increase the self-esteem and the resilience of students with autism and their families, by recognizing the students' islands of competences, i.e. special talents and capabilities that they have. By presenting their photography work in the community, the individuals with autism are provided with the opportunity to give back to the community, and to gain the community's appreciation.

The project started in 2006 at the Groden Network by Deb Romano, a photography artist, and is currently available throughout our network to all the individuals in our children and adult programs. Through photography, individuals with autism communicate how they perceive the world and what they find interesting, intriguing and deserve attention. For many of them, photography is a way to communicate their ideas.

Different themes of 'My Own World' photography work were presented in several art exhibitions including the Autism Society of America's annual conference (July 12-15, 2006), the Rhode Island Flower and Garden Show (February 22 - 25, 2007) at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, and at the Tsetse gallery in downtown Providence.

The project is funded partly by the Rhode Island Council on the Arts.

Committee members: Ayelet Kantor, Ph.D. Project coordinator/supervisor; Deb Romano, photography instructor; Lorna Swanson, M.A. art teacher and photography instructor; Nicole Conley, CCC-SLP, speech and language pathologists.

For more information about the My Own World project, please contact:
Ayelet Kantor, Ph.D.
Project Coordinator/Supervisor
(401) 2746310 ext. 1110
akantor@grodencenter.org