Autism

After a bit of thinking, I have decided to argue in favor of Ms. Williams article. I think that what Dr. Grandin had to say about the different styles of learning was very well thought-out, but her idea that most people are not visual learners is something with which I do not agree. As Ms. Williams indicated, more than half of the general population are visual learners. The man that Dr. Grandin points out as someone who is not a visual learner could fall into either of the other two types of learners Grandin points out, or as Ms. Williams says, any of the many other styles of learning she didn't even address. I have no doubt that Dr. Grandin is a visual learner and that a lot of people with autism are as well, but I do not think that only people with autism are the only visual learners. I, myself, am a very math/musical learner. I do follow patterns well and I am able to memorize them better than nonsensical groupings of numbers, for example.


My personal argument against Dr. Grandin's article is not as strong because I don't fall into the category of a visual learner, but my mom does. She communicates much more easily in person than over the phone, she must put sticky notes around for reminders rather than a list, etc., and she is not a person with autism. My mom (pictured, being crazy) is also a craft maker and her ability to see her art before she produces it is the indication that Dr. Grandin gave of a visual learner, so in the case of my mother, Dr. Grandin's article should be better researched.

Davis Haines
Syracuse University

What role has art played in my life?

First off, I will respond to the articles. I appreciated the first article about the different functions of art, but I was also frustrated because I thought it was oversimplified as she said some might think. I am not an art history major, but my mom studied it and I just know from her descriptions that there are many more functions than just those listed in the article. That being said, Esaak did a good overview of the types of functions, so don't think I am discrediting her. As for the second article, I appreciated seeing the evidence of the children who benefited from the arts but I was frustrated with the statistics of the schools that did not require arts. The arts changed who I am and I am so thankful for the opportunity.

As an elementary student, I was shy for the most part. I did fine in math and science and whatnot, but I was not happy there. I found out in fifth grade that one of the teachers was going to direct a Shakespeare play and that I was able to audition. I was skeptical, but I knew I wanted to perform, so I auditioned and I made it! I have been acting, singing, and dancing ever since then and I must say, if it weren't for the arts, I would not be the person I am today. The arts allowed me to be things I wanted to be but never could be, do things I never could do. It was so important to me. This past summer I directed people with disabilities in a production of a show with great results. I watched people come out of their shells and feel more sure and confident. I will put a lot of trust in art when I teach because it has done so much for me.

Davis Haines
Syracuse University