From Autism to Artism by Donna Williams

[droitegauched]

la chanson est aussi super que les peintures !

[Myfriendismultiple]

Living with mpd or did and knowing how difficult it can be, I really admire the art work you do and just the way you are as a person. Most people who have other personalities are really very clever people to begin with. I know being with my best friend for the past 9yrs. So brave of you to put yourself out there guess you know how much it's helping others with the same condition. You go girl the sky is your limit. What a lovely person,persons you all are.

[carol3hawks]

Fabulous!! You, your poetry, art, paintings, music and most definently, your books! The books have answered questions of my autie son, no doctor could.

Love and sunshine Donna, Carol3Hawks

[DRORI99]

Good song!

I'm autistic, I'm 11 years on earth and I am the manager of aforum of young autistic in israel.

[ediann]

simply beautiful! i read donna williams story and am inspired by her courage and her spirit and her creativity and talents. she is quite a special person and she gives us hope for our son who is autistic and sometimes life seems to be such a struggle. i wish to find the same courage to help guide my son so he too can live and grow and share his wonderful abilities and talents as an autistic child who has such beauty and wonder and imagination.

[Liamrunescapefunorb]

then when the lesson is over I forget about it until the next lesson , a free to me means a " free " to do whatever, and " home " is for " home " as in " chill " away from the assignments

im a slow worker but I am friendly as well , and I do wish that the majority of college courses could accomodate for this , I really do hate the deadlines and I am glad that my teachers don't worry about the deadlines, I prefer patience in my life and it makes me happier

[Liamrunescapefunorb]

Good song and video, I myself am Autistic (As is my girlfriend) and they are very friendly, and polite, people, but we are looked down on a good percentage of ''Normal' people as if we are nothing, it's not right, further more , the majority of College and University courses have more far, FAR to quickly to accomoadte for us, my autistic mind has always worked in a sense that i think about my assignments ( and they come in to my mind ) when I come in to the lessons.

[1210donna]

@Liamrunescapefunorb We all would like an easier life. We all would like that when we knock of work we have only free time. But this is the model for paid work, or should be, that when we are not on paid time we are free to do as we please. University and college are different models. They COULD have us stay on campus for twice the hours and set those extra hours as our study and writing time.

[1210donna]

@Liamrunescapefunorb BUT they TRUST us to have the RESPONSIBILITY and ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS to make ourselves a STUDY and WRITING office and TIME TABLE at home to do those extra hours there (where we can at least also snack and make a drink). Being able to be RESPONSIBLE for this is part of how college and university train us in SELF EMPLOYMENT skills. Because in self employment we must create these things for ourselves. Even working for others we much MANAGE TIME effectively. hope it helps.

[DoctorSapperstein]

i prefer your writing & story telling to the music & painting

your music & painting seem concrete & literal which feels as an imposition & removes one from experience via force

implementation of technique to bring to fruition your expression is admirable, but i find the output to be overly bold (same for the lyrics)

can you hear klee or kandinsky?

[Loreleila]

Love your art.

[giarcreklaw]

I've listened to this 5 times now and I'm still mesmerized by it. It's a wonderful song Donna. I have a daughter who is on the spectrum and she loves music. I can't wait to share it with her. She's so sweet and it's sad that she struggles so with not being accepted by others. I'm hoping to help her find her way by finding inspiration from others like you. Many Blessings to you, Craig

[1210donna]

how old is she? you could make an autie friendly dinner club or autie friendly play club for her.

[giarcreklaw]

@1210donna She's 11. Thank you for the suggestion. She actually likes to cook too. I'll look into that ASAP :-)

[KimIsMissing]

I think people with autism have a gift. I do not see it as a disability, they just think differently

Is this Donna? If it is, we studied you in psychology- you were in our text book~

[1210donna]

Hi Kim, how's that, I was in your text book and still here being 3D at the same time :-)

[KimIsMissing]

I dont know how DID you do that? :D Interesting, many gifts you have, Donna!

[sophiesgem]

Hi Donna saw you in wrexham, north wales, you have left me with a greater understanding of Autism, thank you..

[TeamLibertyExpress]

I heard your interview with Peter Zosky on CBC radio a few months ago, really amazing.

My sister studies autism, so I know a little about it, now I know alot more.

[irmgarddraht]

I love your art . It is so stunning.

You are so talented. Your art is simply amazing!I have read your book and and it was very interesting . You are a huge encouragement to us who have children with autism. I now always treat him like he understands every word I say. And I am always talking,talking ,talking.

[1210donna]

but do also remember to leave silent space which is where people get a chance to dare speak in their own space, allowing others to listen. When others spoke I'd go into all other, no self, so it was very hard to listen to others and experience my own thoughts... silent space is just as important so one can find self even if it means going offline re other. multitracking with self AND other takes years but is sometimes possible.

[bodom472]

is this a song by her?

[1210donna]

hi bodom472. yes, the song is by me. warmly, Donna *)

[bodom472]

oh well it is wonderful. and i am currently reading your autobiography. thank you for writing it :)

[danadejavu]

Thank you for everything you are, for amazing oppinion see you way.

[Ulookingatmeuh]

IN MY opinion autism is not a disease its mispelled its really Artism i mean think about it its another way of communicating maybe A"u"RTISTIC people dont want to communicate in languages that r manipulated to mean wathever u want it to mean maybe thats why A"u"RTISIC people find other ways to communicate, have different views i mean isnt that what makes art art jesues its not a disease everything is a disease maybe if people would stop and think for a min and use both sides of ur brain

[1210donna]

there ar emany reasons people with various autismS don't have functional speech. Some include speech aphasia, oral dyspraxia, selective mutism, semantic pragmatic language disorder and verbal agnosia. Certainly the more artistic one is, the more likely it may be one thinks in things like music and movement and touch more than words. any weaknes carries an inherent strength and vice versa. And the two could co-exist without over demonising or glorifying either.

[1210donna]

this song will be performed in The Aspinauts first musical, Footsteps Of A Nobody, at The Carlton Courthouse (run by La Mama Theatre). The musical is on for one night only, Mon 20th July 8pm-9pm.

[castaway]

Hello. I think your video is brilliant. Is this you singing? I really enjoyed this song.

[1210donna]

I'm glad.

in life we can choose to be a stagnant pond or a flowing one.

in the stagnant one it will become overrun, everything in it struggling for scarce oxygen.

in the flowing on, there is change, but the water is clear, there is oxygen, the pond supports life.

When I'm not climbing mountains I remember that in life we have only the choice examples of those two ponds regardless of what we think we 'want'.

that's why I always fight for the integrity of personhood and seeing the person beyond,

[divinalatina4u]

Thank you for sharing these words of wisdom.

I choose to live my life like a flowing pond.

Calmly overcoming every obstacle along the way,

speaking the truth boldly, and never acting

cowardly.

Silkia

[divinalatina4u]

I love your spirit of...Come what may, I will survive! I will climb another mountain! The more I climb, the more I can enjoy my life... You have always been an inspiration to me. When my son was diagnosed with Autism I was told to watch the movie Rainman instead I turned to your books and found great comfort and it gave me hope. Thank you for being a fighter and teaching me to fight for my son.

[falujaly]

Rainman gave autism a very bad unclear image!! I agree with you about Donna!! People like her give me hope and confidence that my son will have a happy autistic life

[sarahlomax93]

just finished "nobody nowhere". 4 days spent reading it. in those 4 days i both laughed and cried. just finished it today. makes me realise i'm not alone. theres more autistic kids out there. xx

[1210donna]

Yes, its quite a journey for most readers and gives many a much needed sense of belonging, confirmation, empowerment.

There's four in the autiebiographical series. The next is Somebody Somewhere, then Like Colour To The Blind, then Everyday Heaven - all published by Jessica Kingsley Books and all totally different from each other.

[1210donna]

wonderful.

:-) Donna *)

[skynearos]

thank you so much you made me cry from happiness:-)

[aishabear]

I first read a copy of Nobody Nowhere when I was a teenager. I laughed and cried, and most importantly, related. It stuck in my memory for many many years. I recently reread it, along with Somebody Somewhere. These were the most moving books I have ever read. Now, finding this video (and Donna's YouTube channel),I am speechless. Such an inspiration.. beautiful.

[aeo7091]

Absolutely beautiful artwork & I love the music as well. Very inspiring! I will share with everyone I know!

[pateus]

Ohhh yeah baby... ive got what u need, heels,toys, outfits and much more hehe .... i do what u need anal, oral, cam2cam I PLAY WITH ALL THE RIGHT TOOLS HEHE I DO TICKLE SHOWS, ROLEPLAYING AND MUCH MORE HOW ABOUT U TRY ME OUT FOR SIZE!! sooooooo beautifull eyes...tender look,artistik look,deep look, magneficent look...and many others...i can talk about my eyes so long as you even can't imagine..come visit me at _ Play-Cam(.COM) _ my user-id there is Brooke-mhji chat soon on cam;)

[1210donna]

I think it depends on what collection of issues underpin each person's autism. Some issues like gut, immune, metabolic disorders or mood, anxiety and compulsive disorders can exacerbate someone's degree of autism until treated. Or someone with visual and verbal agnosias may be taught or develop compensations. Yet someone else whose autism involves other things won't have these same options (though may have different ones).

[NAGME]

I Loved this, Great work you are so talented. What i find so hard to believe is that the Autistic spectrum is SO WIDE. High functioning is so different from Low functioning Autism, i can't see how they come under the same umbrella!!!!! They are miles appart..........

[healthmusic]

I too appreciate the work of Donna Williams, and I appreciate your comments. I have Aspergers Syndrome, a high functioning member of ASD. Like Donna, I too am a musician/singer/songwriter; until recently US healthcare crisis dominated my music mission; now, upon finding what made me different I am branching autism awareness also. I have Donna's cd, Mutation, and I recommend it to any reading this. Autism is a wide spectrum, just like visual impairment can mean need glasses or being blind.

[healthmusic]

I had a reply, intended for NAGME; but it has much for Donna, too. Sometimes for some reason instead of replying it goes up as a general comment.

Many famous people, including Einstein had some form of ASD. Robert Moog, inventer of the Moog Synthesizer had some form of ASD.

[AuRatio]

This is great! You are a very talented singer!

[AisForAutism]

This was absolutely fantastic. What a journey and what a gift. Thank you for sharing!! WOW!!!

I'm going to post my YouTube as a response. You might know some people who might find it useful for autism awareness purposes.

Joanna K-V

A Is for Autism, F Is for Friend - A Kid's Book on Making Friends with a Child Who Has Autism.

[libbydoo59]

Truly wonderful video!

[suzettemfleiss]

Donna, great vid! It is great to see that you are still doing great things for the autie community. The social/family group is still going great....107 families and counting. Daniel is doing well, but minor adolescent situations (he's 14 now)are arising. Your art looks great, and this slideshow is wonderful. You have a beautiful voice, too!

Take care,

Suzette Fleiss

[aspiegirl1130]

beutifulllllllllllllllllllllll­llllllllllllll  :)

[1210donna]

glad it blissed you :-)

my brother 'Duel' is also an artist.

He has his own site 'duelsart'.

would love to know what you think of it.

if you google 'duelsart' you'll find him.

[apollomma]

currently re-reading your "Nobody Nowhere" before i sleep each night, i feel giddy with happiness to be allowed into your world which is like my own, and to have flashes of myself explained by as an alert and artistic soul as yourself

this video rocks

...i also respected Peter Jennings tremendously, and searching on Google about your today was so happy to read that he "got" YOU.

you are helping me to bring me to me thank you infinitely for helping me move closer to becoming "cre-active"

[1210donna]

lovely.

yes, the book has befriended many.

The film of Nobody Nowhere is currently in pre-production so look forward to it at the movies and as the screenwriter, I'll have my seat at the cinema too.

[nllmki]

I agree. Nobody Nowhere was the first book dealing with autism that I understood.

[shishi613]

incredible art.

[1953fast]

Someone recommended that I read your first book this evening. Unable to get the book this evening so I went to the web and worked my way to this video. I have never been so moved by someones music, it brought me to tears. Your art compliments it well.

[1210donna]

I'm glad you've enjoyed the video. You can find any of my 9 books via my Donna Williams home site (donnawilliams dot net) which has links straight to my publishers - Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

[autismhelpr]

Hi Donna:

I finished your fist book today. I am a speech pathologist and I work with 35 autistic children in a public school in Southern California. I have never been so viscerally touched by a book nor music video before. Your artwork looks exactly like I imagined your descriptions. Thank you for having the courage to help me understand what autism is like for you. I will be starting your second book tonight!

Warmly, Diana

[1210donna]

Hi Diana,

I'm glad my works have helped. Autism has so many faces, so many autism 'fruit salads', of which mine is one collective. I don't know which of my 9 books you're reading, so just I hope you find them a buzz. Feel free to drop by my main site to see the full gallery too.  :-) Donna *)

[Yetti0]

I understand the parents who abuse autistic children have mental disorders... and many subcumb to societies pressures of hiding instead of educating. Learn to Learn.. this is my advice to parents for their children and themselves. knowledge is power ..a little bit of knowledge(misused for excuses and as a weapon) like the Mercury moms is dangerous. They are not looking for knowledge but blame and excuses.

[Yetti0]

It isgood to see the positive of autism. I firmly believe parents who cannot love their austistic child as God sent...should have their children place in loving homes where they are respected for their God given dignity. Mercury Moms are ignorant and show their abuse by blaming. We need more positive to work with autistic children not blaming based on false pride and /or selfishness of the parents.

[1210donna]

Hi Yetti,

I was a 'highly disturbed', self injurious child, since age 2. Today I know I had co-morbid mood, anxiety, compulsive disorders, gut/immune/metabolic disorders and agnosias - all pushing up the tempo of my personality traits into disorder presentations. So I deeply relate to families of kids with deeply distressing behaviour - especially chemistry-related violence. Its so heartbreaking for them, alienating, their on edge all the time.

[Yetti0]

AS A person on the spectrum myself with 2 disorders accompanying my aspergers, I would give up my child if I harmed her as I am seeing so many who have disorders are doing. Too many are confusing their disorders with the aspergers.. unjustly and unrightfully so. One thing I learned this last year when I was diagnosed is totake care of the harmful disorders first with meds and/or cbt.

[1210donna]

As the child of parents who I feel both had co-morbids, I really value that you have such a clear perspective of your own challenges and the potential risks co-morbids pose when one has children. Personally, I have too many challenges to juggle to have healthily had children. I knew I'd run away or, if socially trapped, lose it. I care deeply about kids though, and their families.

[Yetti0]

My family is filled with aspergers, I have two friends who are also on the sutistic spectrum, both have very happy sucessful children /like I do....We have talked about this and feel we and our parents did what it took to make life work for our children. Many do not want to tell the world about their autistic challenges due to those who give us a bad name by not taking care of their other disorders first. We love being aspies. Life is good

[MizzybUK1]

p.s. I love your video/artwork my daughter has hair which is wavey/curly she doesnt like it being brushed! She loves animals and is artistic and is able to express herself through pictures or written words when she cant say things verbally.

[1210donna]

So may I ask that we care for the parents too, however ignorant or seemingly selfish they may appear. They are only grown up children themselves, many undx'd on the spectrum themselves.

[Yetti0]

Yes care for the parents..butthey should not have custody if they are abusing their child.

[1210donna]

of course, no parent should.

its also the sad case there are masses of kids under 16 with ASD in group homes, many aged 5-10, who wallow for years with no foster carers and certainly no adoption. I've worked with them and I wish people would consider giving them 'a new start' as accepted, included human beings.

[Yetti0]

Yes our governmentis to blame there as well not only for autistic kids but all children.

[1210donna]

well, the government houses these unwanted kids. they put paid carers in there on a roster. A real family, whether foster family or adopted or biological, can't be that through payment, one must have to healthily want those children. The government can't make people do that. And there are usually not even enough care homes...I've seen really abused kids not removed simply because there's no places free in care homes. And this is so with non-autistic kids in danger too.

[MizzybUK1]

Donna I hope that others will listen to your words. As a parent of two ASD kids who regressed following chemical related incidents. I am saddened when I see adults fighting over what causes autism anger/egos is pointless - the ones who suffer are the ASD kids who end up suffering due to lack of provision. Surely energy would be better supporting parents irrespective of who/what they blame these kids are still autistic.

[1210donna]

I think it'd be good when all acknowledge there is no ONE autism, that autism is a syndrome which can result from a wide range of combined underlying things. In some cases this will be physiological breakdowns, in others it will not.

[MizzybUK1]

This is my belief too - In my experience it appeared to be a "Spectrum" of events genetic/environmental which led to the "spectrum syndrome". I really thought about this last night - both my brothers are probably somewhere on the spectrum. I find the line between NT and ASD has become a tad blurry for me. I tend to see traits in alot of people these days. thanks for allowing me to post on your video

[Screamingsoul1]

Beautiful paintings and the music has me in tears :)

[1210donna]

Being moved, is a wonderful thing

Of course it's problematic with bipolar

the elevator doesn't have a ceiling or floor

but these days, I love to be moved :-)

[LordTempist]

Fantastic. I have not been this moved by art for some time. Well done.

[weezula]

The dogs at either side of the path that leads under a clothesline.....Was this one a dream too?

[1210donna]

That one is called 'if'.

It was a way to re-frame very difficult events.

There's a poem in the poetry book, Not Just Anything (published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers) called Whisky.

The painting relates to that poem.

[superbison]

I'm a fan of your artwork. Some of the images are in my dreams. Thank you for sharing.

[1210donna]

that's funny because many of them come from my dreams :-)

perhaps art is a kind of dream weaving or dreams weave art.

[kevinfruet]

I just love your videos.

Nicely composed.

Very welldone

[magalator]

Hi Donna,

Thankyou so much for your beautiful video. I love the song - you have a lovely voice. Also, your paintings are absolutely stunning! (I wish that I could express myself as completely as you do.)

[1210donna]

Hi Magalator, we all express ourselves differently. Cooks express themselves through food, food appreciators through the eating of it :-)

[Applet2]

This is amazing art and music. How do you create the art, were you self-taught and if so, how?  (curious)

[1210donna]

I was taught one picture, a dancer, by rote at age 3-4 and only did that until age 11, then did cows from a girl's plastic cows, till age 13. Then I drew simple figures based on my father's tatoos until about 16, then nothing until my 20s.

[Applet2]

thank you for replying (sorry no reply no internet access the last month). I was inspired by your art work, by way of finding a way to communicate, myself. Thank you for sharing this video.

[1210donna]

art can speak in one painting, one sculpture, one photo, was would be typed in an entire chapter. When one produces over a hundred paintings (I have over a hundred in my online gallery at my website) then one has communicated the emotional equivalent of several books. Art can express self, help others find theirs, contribute to change or reconciliation. It is a powerful medium.

[1210donna]

After diet, supplements and tinted lenses, I began to paint, each time the paint ran out I didn't paint until someone sent me more paints, so not again until my 30s, then paint ran out again, so not again until my mid 30s...finally I dared to buy paint for myself (too much expossure anxiety).

[1210donna]

I'm self taught but had a few hours of training in Chinese Brush painting in my 40s :-) The obstacles along the way were many; visual perceptual fragmentation, context blindness, immense exposure anxiety blocking me doing, even thinking to do, anything which would show people my soul, my awareness, I couldn't stand having that awareness... it meant I WAS in the world, I needed to ensure the bridges were always burned. After a truce in that battle, sharing through art became my haven.

[drmaier]

You are so awesome.

I love the texture in your paintings. And this song was written and performed by you?

[1210donna]

yes. I began composing at age 19. I was echolalic till age 9-11 and had a huge repertoire of songs and music I could echo. Around age 9-11 I began to move to functional speech and used morphed songs and advertisements as part of communication. By age 13 music and songs began to compose themselves, by 19 I dared to write them out in a self taught system and by my 20s was singing them. I have 2 albums now, on my website. Glad you've enjoyed the artism.

[drmaier]

I don't generally "get" art. Visual art has never impressed me. (sculptures, paintings etc.) but I understand your work. The one of the woman in the red dress, standing in front of the blue ocean and the moon -- so amazing! Someday when I'm wealthy, I will fill my house with your work.

[1210donna]

Because I'm largely face blind, often context blind and sometimes object blind due to visual processing issues, I rely on pattern, theme, feel. Movement and placement is extremely important for recognition as are sounds. So the figures have souls, because this is what I see in their movements, their music of beingness, this is where their souls live, not in the visual alone.

[drmaier]

My son is almost four, mostly non-verbal but echolalic

I haven't been able to attract his interest towards coloring or painting as of yet, but I would like to offer him some creative outlet if it will help him communicate.

[1210donna]

I was taught by rote one picture at age 3. it was the only picture I did until age 9, then only did cows till age 13. I had such exposure anxiety and so averse to encouraging social bridges with those I saw as invading that there was strong anti-motivation to even THINK of expanding creativity. So maybe read up on EA and try an indirectly confrontational approach instead, which gets around EA.

[TexLonghorn72]

My son was like that, he is 23 now, he enjoyed the phone answering maching, repeatedlylistening to the outgoing message and laughing, also voice activated tape recorders,

Sesame street cassette, still doesn't care 2 much for art, but in video games, even then the narrative calls to him more than the art, he likes the drma I interpret. . . good luck to ya

[1210donna]

texture matters a lot to me in art. I need to FEEL it because my visual processing is delayed, so the feedback of visual feels like a mental fog most of the time. When art is textured I can both FEEL it and on seeing it imagine feeling it through my hands. My hands are my eyes, they process well. Even if not touching the visual, if it looks like I could feel out the painting, then I begin to do this internally as though I have.

[drmaier]

That makes sense. I often think of things I see as objects that take up space, rather than what they physically look like. Just thinking about trying to draw a flower from sight makes my brain hurt. Impossible.

Were you artistic this way as a child, or did you pick it up later when you started composing music?

[1210donna]

I experienced the world in pattern, theme, feel, line, rhythm, texture, smell, movement... so I had ARTism but wasn't yet an artist. It takes a desire to SHARE one's ARTism, even indirectly, to move from ARTism to Artist. As the exposure anxiety became less in adulthood, the ARTism became freer to allow the Artist.

[1210donna]

also know that arts aren't key for all of us. I have the artistic personality trait and I'm a highly kinesthetic and musical learner. I was made for arts. I just had such severe Exposure Anxiety and am so solitary by nature I couldn't DARE art because it would allow a bridge for social invasion by others. I had to tame the EA to set the artist free. But each autie has SOMETHING that inspires them, even if its boxing or shredding, running marathons or being a professional taster.

[1210donna]

The trick is to map the learning styles and personality traits of each and assess the blocks in the autism fruit salad of each to rebalance so natural motivations have any chance.

[woodessence]

Thanks for this song Donna, It certainly sets an awesome idea out~ If we would look at genetic behavioral differences as something the person with them did not cause. Humankind caused them, so they are for certain an absolute inclusive part of humankind. ...and so lets us all live fully !

Thanks for sharing all the personal photos of your life~ a nice story !

[sageyrudman]

wow ..great slideshow.. i own the book that has alot of these photos i studied them at length recognizing alot of the same expressions in my own child. i can only hope zoe ends up mirroring you in ways other than expression .i have no doubt that she too will do amazing things. lots of love.

[1210donna]

And when she does, I hope she'll bring them to auties dot org (google - auties employment) and we'll try and help the world find those things.

[GingerAutie]

I really liked your video very much. Especially the artworks on it and the childhood pictures.

[99mountainrose]

I so enjoyed your childhood pictures dancing with your

artwork...and to such poignant music...The colors and

forms were mesmerizing....... I added this to my favorites and thanks!

[1210donna]

she bows graciously ;-)

[Fhilbo]

some of your paintings remind me very much of chagall in you color choice and the dream like qualities. saved to favorites. awesome.

[1210donna]

Yes, I have been told that about Chagall before. His work is very beautiful. I also like Matisse. Perhaps because the emphasis is on movement and form.

:-)

[Fhilbo]

my own son is artistic, like you are :) he likes the piano. hes two yrs old.

[1210donna]

I was left with a record player in infancy. It was a 60s one like a toaster and you could post singles into the top and they'd play then pop up. I was surrounded by classical, rock and roll, blues since toddlerhood and this showed a great love of rhythm but I was too scared to touch a piano and first played at age 14, then too scared to play again till age 19. Finally showed people my songs in my 20s. Music is a wonderful world, never alone there, music is company... Donna *)

[paulfq]

Donna, it's very moving to finally listen to one of your song after reading and rereading all the books! I'm an Asperger and if you'd like to visit my own music page on the web you can just google paulfq and fine me. You are doing some fantastic work in the world! Paul, Dublin

[songsnsuch]

Hi Donna,

Wonderfully expressive song, art and video.

I have a daughter with Autism and read both Nobody, Nowhere and Somebody, Somewhere a few years back. They really helped me to understand the sensory issues and have gave me terrific insight into the struggles between "worlds".

Thanks for sharing so much of yourself to help both families/friends and individuals with Autism understand each other!

[1210donna]

Thank you. These two were the first of 9 books I've had published. I'm glad they helped. All the best to you and your family. Warmly, Donna *)

[dinahkcm]

beautfiul, and straight into the posautive youtube group and its /arts subgroup, thanks Donna!

[1210donna]

lovely, thank you.

:-) Donna *)

[frankahilario]

It implies the emergence of Donna Williams from the center of her being to the center of awareness of the world. I like the music too, and the lyrics.

[mattsuzo]

Hi Donna, I have read your book Nobody Nowhere, and found it one of the best books I have ever read. So thank you so much for it. Really enjoyed your song and slideshow video.

Thanks- Suzanne

[1210donna]

thanks Suzanne.

NN was the first of 9 books.

I hope you'll drop by my website and blog for an update

I have been very busy.

glad you enjoyed the song and video.

:-) Donna *)

[piratehouker]

hi Donna :) my name is Heather Brown. I'm a teenage girl who is also autistic. My grandma showed me this video and I'd just like to say that your artwork is fantastic and your music is pretty good :) that's all I got to say right now but yeah, good job

[1210donna]

Hi Heather,

I'm glad you liked it. The song is from one of my albums, Mutation. You can hear the other tracks via my website under 'composer'.

All the best to you.

Hope you find what makes you happiest and shine too.

Warmly,

Donna *)

[1210donna]

Hi all,

so nice to see you're enjoying the video

the lyrics are in a song book with the album which is on my website. The song is also featured in the book Not Just Anything published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. This comments section only allows short messages so can't really post the lyrics here. My do so on my blog instead.

Warmly

:-) Donna *)

[radioscotvoid]

Born in scotland - I eventually travelled to the US to work on summer camps for children with special needs - I was introduced to your books in 1996 - since then I emmigrated to Boston and I currently work for the Autism Support Center in Danvers MA - This video was sent to me by a family - Well this now gives me a chance for me to tell you how inspiational you been to me and many others...keep up your honest and creative work...sincerly Scott : )

[1210donna]

Thank you Scott.

I wrote my first book in 1990

I now have 9 published books.

you can find more about all this on my website.

hope to see you there.

Warmly,

:-) Donna *)

[JenNecyk]

Donna, I love your artwork. Is any of your art for sale or do you have prints? I would love to hang the one of the tree in my daughter, Nadia's, room. She is 3 years old with autism. I would also love to hear your thoughts on what we are doing to bring her into "the world". I finished reading "Somebody Somewhere" last night and every time I woke up, I was thinking about her view of the world. She loves trees. Jennifer from Canada

[1210donna]

Hi Jennifer,

yes, the art work is for sale over on my website. Hope you can find it (donnawilliams-dot-net) sorry can't type URLs here. And there's cards of the works over there and people can buy mixed collections of them. If Nadia is a climber she'll love heights and balance. Sounds like circus skills to me :-) You'll find lots of articles and more info over on my site. Space is limited here in replying. :-) Donna *)

[1210donna]

Starting her own little tree nursery from seeds which will grow to be a variety of tree friends sound like a great education in life cycles, caring and categorisation skills and can expand into using some of their leaves and branches in art, or for printing or to print into cookes. Trees also expand into making nests and from nests awareness of birds and their homes then where birds can make nests etc... this is how my drifty brain works.

... Donna

[1210donna]

It may also be that she sees every leaf as a new picture (as I did) so the tree is actually a fragmented mosaic, in which case only the movement, smell and texture is a cohesive experience of the whole. That's what's captured in Rainbow Tree.

... Donna

[1210donna]

And each fall of shadow and shine would fragment a leaf, with the sun creating sunbursts through the leaves. She sounds very kinesthetic. Kinesthetic learners learn physically and movement, texture and patterns are their world and they learn through physical patterning and in physical interactions, through 'doing'.

... Donna

[1210donna]

When I was 3 a string was put up between two trees in my family's back garden and I would walk it as a tightrope. I always saw trees as different types of friends, there's a poem about this in the poetry book Not Just Anything published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. The poem is called Lemon Tree.

:-) Donna *)

[leash9]

Donna, thank you for letting me into your world. It brings me again closer to the people I work with. Love, Indea.

[kandidata]

great.. song..pictures and paintings..truly you are a model for other to look up.. continue to be a blessing to everybody.. i hope i can have a copy of the lyrics of this song so i can teach the kids..

thanks for sharing ...

[LordThroax]

That was a beautiful song.. I was listening and three of my 5 kids came in wanting to hear it too. Thank You

Cathy

[zionzuberon]

wow, beautiful and hauntingly aspirational. Thanks for sharing your talents. I was moved. All the best, strange girl

[at946]

Goodon ya Donna .Helen and Eddie xxx

[1414xenia]

I liked it alot. Reminded me of when you pointed out the house where you were a kid in Melbourne. Also, thought about the time we put a sickle to the weeds in England.

Kathy Grant

[sosfilms8]

What an amazing video! Thanks Donna for sharing. I am looking forward to meeting you at the Autism Summer Institute at the University of New Hampshire in August.

[aspie182]

What on Earth happened to the comments I posted and the responses? I was on my way to writing a response and suddenly they are gone. Anyway, I was just about to ask if you could share the details of the groups you mentioned earlier with me in the private message channel(s).

[1210donna]

What happened was me being a techno klutz

I didn't understand posting replies and had been posting them under the previous comment.

So I deleted mine

intending to cut and past my reply to you

directly in the reply section to your post.

but I don't read well so clicked remove instead of reply and you disappeared.

I'm so glad you dropped back.

:-) Donna *)

[1210donna]

the info I gave was to drop by to auties-dot-org (can't write the website here but you should find it) its a free self employment site where you can list about your art works and also start an artists club and find other artists on the spectrum.

I also mentioned the disability arts forums

many have facilities to send in your art for public display.

Donna *)

[1210donna]

but don't stop there, contact your local autism chapter and offer to send in works to their newsletters to show people what you're doing, make art cards to send your art around, mentor budding artists on the spectrum so your artism is also a gift to others.

just remember, nobody giving up on you matters if you don't give up on yourself.

also remember you can't be robbed of self esteem unless you give it up.

I look forward to running across your art some time.

Donna *)

[ralpheadsuz]

WOW! speecerhl2qess qoop wmyw auwtiee's typirnrrg

[1210donna]

Hi Ralph,

I can understand your autie typing, no problem.

Glad you enjoyed the show.

Warmly,

Donna *)

[ralpheadsuz]

I hoped you would. :o)

[suzettemfleiss]

Donna, you are an inspiration to the autism and artism community! Thank you for reaching out to all of us!

[ishmaila15]

My favourite fairy who gently twinkles bells and sends petals on their way. I love your song and music, so uplifting and out there. Most of all though girlfriend, your smiling face and eyes wide open, full of promise and mischief. I can't stop smiling, thanks for sending link xlove always, trishab

[1210donna]

so gorgeous to see you here mate

:-)

[aware4autism]

How beautiful! The pictures, the music, the art, you. Thank you for all you do, Donna. You are a such a gift to the world. =O)

[1210donna]

This video features photos from infancy to adulthood combined with my artworks from my online gallery and a track called "Beautiful Behavioural Mutations" from my 2nd album "Mutation". The video was possible with the help of my husband Chris and the inspiration of my father who inspires me from grave. Shine on Jackie Paper, you crazy diamond.

Donna Williams *)

autistic author, artist, composer, screenwriter

[grandmahogg]

The aristry, the music, the composer, all beautiful! You are a blessing in many ways. Would you be able to put titles on the pictures, and ages? Some of them are on my screensaver!

[rozagy]

This video is beautiful, touching, creative, honest, magical, inspirational, warm, human, home.... like you are, Donna! :-)))) Bless you and your wonderful Spirit! Roza xxxxx