We're doing something a little different this week, and featuring a program for children with autism, a program started by the Dockery Foundation.
The Dockery Foundation is a non profit, founded by two parents (Trey & Deb Dockery) in the hopes of helping families affected by autism & related disorders. Our mission statement is “Autism Education…One Person At A Time”. We take simple programs (like Art for Autism) and help build children’s coordination, social skills, and self esteem.
One day, we hope to open a home for adults on the spectrum, privately funded. With 1 in 150 children having been diagnosed with autism (our oldest son being one of them), these children will need to live somewhere when they become of age. The government will not be able to handle the influx of additional “bodies” into the system. These people have to live somewhere. We hope to have the funding in place to house some in Northern Mississippi, in a safe, loving environment.
In 2006, you started a program called Art for Autism. What is the program, how is it designed, and who is eligible?Art for Autism is simply that. An art program developed for children on the autism spectrum. We have many different projects designed to have fun & help children with their social skills. He have projects like recycle art (making a robot out of aluminum foil, boxes, cans, and other household items), shaving cream art (the squishing of the shaving cream is a sensory activity), tissue paper “stained glass” art (the kids love to shred & tear the tissue paper), etc.We look for art projects that art “mainstream” but will help with their sensory issues, and give them some physical therapy (writing, gripping, cutting).It is normally a 3 or 4 week program (Saturday mornings). It is open to all children who have a diagnosis of autism. Applications are posted on our website or are available through our local school system. On our application, we ask parents for a diagnosis and percentage of independence (if a child normally works with an aide, etc.) The Dockery Foundation hires behavioral techs to work with the profoundly affected children to assist them, guide them with their tasks, as they would in school. With the most independent children, we pair them with peer volunteers or a table of children like themselves. Sometimes, the tables are indistinguishable.
Any child living in the Memphis/Mid-South area with autism or a related disorder is eligible for the Dockery Foundation’s programs, including Art for Autism. There is no charge for our programs. We are a not for profit 501 (c) 3.
Have you researched art therapy?
Per se, no. I’m a mom. I have no specialty or advanced degree in art therapy.
However, one of our board members, Dr. Sheila Williamson (clinical psychologist with our local school system) has researched what techniques work for children on the spectrum. Dr. Sheila has helped apply those techniques to our Art for Autism program. Whether it be squishing a bag of shaving cream or brushing a feather, Dr. Sheila helps us put together a curriculum that helps our children with physical therapy.
What have you learned that you have been able to apply to working with your son?
Actually, with all children that we work with. Most children LOVE art. Some of our kids are gifted (a savant skill, even). Most are not. However, The Dockery Foundation has a place for all of our children. We focus on social skills and helping children with autism learn whatever they can about art. From painting to drawing a straight line. Maybe holding a crayon correctly for the very first time. We work with all skill sets.
Our son has learned much from Art for Autism. His art skills are excellent. Those skills he brought to the program. What he has learned in Art for Autism is how to help others. To share. And to feel comfortable around other children. That is the beauty of our program!
What prompted you to reach beyond your own family and into a larger autism community?Wow…good question. Well, I was sitting in the same chair that I am now. I was talking to my husband and complaining about the lack of services for our kids. Especially an art program for our Chase. My husband said, “stop complaining, and let’s do something about it!”
Well, we did. Art for Autism began successfully in 2007 with 10 children on the autism spectrum, and just as many helpers. This year, we grew by 200%. In January, we look to grow again exponentially!
What are your plans for the Dockery Foundation?
Do you have all day? Seriously. We have many plans. Short term: continued growth with our Art for Autism program, our Move for Autism soccer program. And we’re looking at a couple of other programs to help children in our community. We also have quarterly workshops for our community, so we will continue those.
Mid term: working with other special needs groups in our area. There is a huge need for job training! Someone needs to step up and help our families. So many bright, intelligent teens end up underemployed (or unemployed) that could end up with full time jobs in our community. So, that is next.
Long term: As I said earlier, addressing long term housing issues. Ideally, we would like to find land for a ranch for some of our families. We understand that it will take a lot of money. We cannot look to the government to address these issues for us. Housing won’t be available to so many of these children when they become adults. They are (as we have been told) “too high functioning”, but they can’t make it out on their own, without coaching. So, what happens to these adults? Organizations like ours need to fill in the gaps. We need to find housing and coach them on life skills.
What can people do to help your foundation?
Locally, volunteer! We would love to have folks help us. It would be wonderful! [Please contact us at:] info@dockeryfoundation.org. And, we would gladly accept donations at http://dockeryfoundation.org.
What have you, personally, learned in this journey with your son's autism?
My husband says it best. “If you don’t learn anything from these children, then you aren’t paying attention.” That is so true.
Both of my boys. I am so blessed by them both. My youngest son, Dylan has to play the role of “big brother.” I watch him with so much pride (hang on…getting teary eyed..) He’s so protective of his big brother.
We have become a FAMILY. The Dockery Foundation events…Art for Autism, Move for Autism, our workshops, anything that we do, we do as a FAMILY. Autism affects the family. We could make this a downer, but we refuse to! We have fun things to do TOGETHER! And we have made the most wonderful friends through autism. I refer to them as our “autism family”. In fact, this afternoon we are having an early Thanksgiving dinner with part of our “autism family”. We wouldn’t have the friends that we do, had it not been for autism. The church friends that we do. The faith that we do. The determination. The love. The compassion. The family love for each other.
If there is a mom or dad reading this and your child is newly diagnosed, understand this. It does get better. I promise! Reach out to others. They will reach back.
Any child living in the Memphis/Mid-South area with autism or a related disorder is eligible for the Dockery Foundation’s programs, including Art for Autism. There is no charge for our programs. We are a not for profit 501 (c) 3.
How did you discover how your son Chase was helped by art?
In 2002, we were living in South Florida. Chase was having problems making friends. He didn’t like school. Typical for children with autism. However, he LOVED art. So, we enrolled him in a community art class. He seemed to gain confidence every time he attended this class.
He also enjoyed drawing (what we called) picture books. He would draw page after page of cartoons…Winnie the Pooh, Sponge Bob, whatever his favorite characters were at the time. Then, proceed to tell us a story. No words, just drawings. His imagination was incredible! It seemed to help him become more verbal, too.
In 2002, we were living in South Florida. Chase was having problems making friends. He didn’t like school. Typical for children with autism. However, he LOVED art. So, we enrolled him in a community art class. He seemed to gain confidence every time he attended this class.
He also enjoyed drawing (what we called) picture books. He would draw page after page of cartoons…Winnie the Pooh, Sponge Bob, whatever his favorite characters were at the time. Then, proceed to tell us a story. No words, just drawings. His imagination was incredible! It seemed to help him become more verbal, too.
Have you researched art therapy?
Per se, no. I’m a mom. I have no specialty or advanced degree in art therapy.
However, one of our board members, Dr. Sheila Williamson (clinical psychologist with our local school system) has researched what techniques work for children on the spectrum. Dr. Sheila has helped apply those techniques to our Art for Autism program. Whether it be squishing a bag of shaving cream or brushing a feather, Dr. Sheila helps us put together a curriculum that helps our children with physical therapy.
What have you learned that you have been able to apply to working with your son?
Actually, with all children that we work with. Most children LOVE art. Some of our kids are gifted (a savant skill, even). Most are not. However, The Dockery Foundation has a place for all of our children. We focus on social skills and helping children with autism learn whatever they can about art. From painting to drawing a straight line. Maybe holding a crayon correctly for the very first time. We work with all skill sets.
Our son has learned much from Art for Autism. His art skills are excellent. Those skills he brought to the program. What he has learned in Art for Autism is how to help others. To share. And to feel comfortable around other children. That is the beauty of our program!
What prompted you to reach beyond your own family and into a larger autism community?Wow…good question. Well, I was sitting in the same chair that I am now. I was talking to my husband and complaining about the lack of services for our kids. Especially an art program for our Chase. My husband said, “stop complaining, and let’s do something about it!”Well, we did. Art for Autism began successfully in 2007 with 10 children on the autism spectrum, and just as many helpers. This year, we grew by 200%. In January, we look to grow again exponentially!
What are your plans for the Dockery Foundation?
Do you have all day? Seriously. We have many plans. Short term: continued growth with our Art for Autism program, our Move for Autism soccer program. And we’re looking at a couple of other programs to help children in our community. We also have quarterly workshops for our community, so we will continue those.
Mid term: working with other special needs groups in our area. There is a huge need for job training! Someone needs to step up and help our families. So many bright, intelligent teens end up underemployed (or unemployed) that could end up with full time jobs in our community. So, that is next.
Long term: As I said earlier, addressing long term housing issues. Ideally, we would like to find land for a ranch for some of our families. We understand that it will take a lot of money. We cannot look to the government to address these issues for us. Housing won’t be available to so many of these children when they become adults. They are (as we have been told) “too high functioning”, but they can’t make it out on their own, without coaching. So, what happens to these adults? Organizations like ours need to fill in the gaps. We need to find housing and coach them on life skills.
What can people do to help your foundation?
Locally, volunteer! We would love to have folks help us. It would be wonderful! [Please contact us at:] info@dockeryfoundation.org. And, we would gladly accept donations at http://dockeryfoundation.org.
What have you, personally, learned in this journey with your son's autism?
My husband says it best. “If you don’t learn anything from these children, then you aren’t paying attention.” That is so true.
Both of my boys. I am so blessed by them both. My youngest son, Dylan has to play the role of “big brother.” I watch him with so much pride (hang on…getting teary eyed..) He’s so protective of his big brother.
We have become a FAMILY. The Dockery Foundation events…Art for Autism, Move for Autism, our workshops, anything that we do, we do as a FAMILY. Autism affects the family. We could make this a downer, but we refuse to! We have fun things to do TOGETHER! And we have made the most wonderful friends through autism. I refer to them as our “autism family”. In fact, this afternoon we are having an early Thanksgiving dinner with part of our “autism family”. We wouldn’t have the friends that we do, had it not been for autism. The church friends that we do. The faith that we do. The determination. The love. The compassion. The family love for each other.
If there is a mom or dad reading this and your child is newly diagnosed, understand this. It does get better. I promise! Reach out to others. They will reach back.
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