From Palette to Purpose:
Ben’s Journey with Small Ego Art
By Maddie Coats, Highlands Council Communications Manager
Art has always been part of Ben Schneider’s life, providing a much-needed outlet to calm and express himself. The local artist was diagnosed with autism at age 3.
“I’ve been doing art since I was really little,” he says. “I’ve always loved art and anything that’s colorful. I think art is a way to be creative and it’s also a way you can inspire others. I just really like when my art can make someone happy.”
Now 22, Ben’s passion for art is shown through his colorful and dynamic paintings. You can view his work in the Blakely Hall gallery throughout April. Meet Ben during an artist reception on Thursday, April 4, from 6–8 p.m.
Ben enjoys acrylic pouring, a form of art that involves layering paint.
His favorite pieces involve pouring movement with tools like buckets and funnels. This style requires layering acrylic paint of varying colors and consistencies before pouring them on a canvas. It’s always a surprise what type of pattern it will create once poured, he says.
“Sometimes the process can take quite a long time depending on how many layers go into the artwork. I always love how they come out, though.”
Ben loves to pick out colors that look good together, he says. He enjoys choosing contrasting colors and working those components into the piece as well. Additionally, he creates custom artwork from orders and requests inspired by specific color palettes and techniques.
“I love to use all colors, but my favorites are the ones you find in the rainbow,” he says. “If I ranked the rainbow colors from least favorite to favorite, it would go yellow, orange, red, green, purple, and then blue.”
“Small Ego Art” emerged as Ben’s business name to describe the pride he feels upon completing his work, yet his discomfort from receiving praise. His logo, adorned with a rainbow, highlights his passion for vibrant colors.
In 2012, Ben’s Fund was formed by his parents to help children and young adults with autism reach their full potential through financial aid and hope. So far, thousands of grants have been awarded to families for camps, technology, therapy, equipment, services, security and safety support. A portion of profits from Small Ego Art supports the nonprofit.
Ben says art has become his career of choice. Aside from acrylic pouring, he also enjoys making detailed creations with paintbrushes as well as digital art. He paints shoes, too!
For other artists with autism who may be navigating their own creative journeys, he encourages them to reflect on childhood moments when art brought them joy.
“You need to try to find yourself first and what makes you happiest. It’s important to do things that you enjoy the most.”
Ben’s art is featured on the cover of Connections. Check it out! You can see more of his work at smallegoart.com.
Inside the Spectrum:
Living with Autism in Our Community
By Michelle Whitehead, Central Park Resident
My youngest daughter was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3.5 years old in the spring of 2016.
My autism journey has not been easy. I had to seek out other parents, support groups, and people with more lived experience than myself. I didn’t know where to start, but I used her diagnostic report as a guideline. I did everything that was recommended to me. I cannot emphasize enough that early intervention is vital.
Autism is now one in 36 births, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many people believe that autistic individuals cannot make eye contact, speak, be social or have friends. This is all untrue.
Mallory, daughter of Michelle Whitehead, enjoys participating in the “Pianos in the Park” program at Grand Ridge Plaza in summer 2022.
It’s called a “spectrum” because the signs are different for each person. No two autistic people are alike. The autism spectrum is now expanded and can be categorized by three different levels. Some individuals are verbal, while others are not.
I see autism as my daughter’s superpower and her strength. I am so proud of what she has overcome.
Please be kind and avoid shaming parents of children with intellectual disabilities—we are all working hard to navigate this complicated world. Parenting is challenging enough already, especially when caring for a high-needs child. It can be even more difficult when juggling explosive behaviors, safety precautions, mental health, medications, providers, insurance, school, transportation, family dynamics and financial responsibilities.
I would like to thank this community for supporting the needs of these children, in addition to special education resources and programs like Athletes for All and International Buddy.
Please get tickets to attend the upcoming TEA-Rex Tea Party at Blakely Hall on April 20, where you can connect with local families who continue to defy stereotypes. Support a great cause by providing a donation to support autism services in our community.
Autism doesn’t come with a manual; it comes with a parent who doesn’t give up. Bless all the children who have a rainbow of colors to represent all their diversity.
Sip, Roar and Raise Awareness
Join the TEA-Rex Tea Party for Autism on April 20
By Maddie Coats, Highlands Council Communications Manager
Help make a difference in the lives of autistic individuals by supporting local organizations like LEO Enrichment Options (LEO) and International Buddy. Bring your family, friends and dinosaurs to the 2nd Annual Tea for Autism at Blakely Hall on Saturday, April 20, from 12–2 p.m.
While the event is a fundraiser, it’s also an opportunity to build community among parents and children who experience the ins and outs of autism on a daily basis.
The inclusive and interactive dinosaur-themed event is designed to provide a low-key environment for young kids to participate in games, activities, crafts, a scavenger hunt and more. There will be small bites and tea, in addition to a cozy book corner for those who need a calm area to escape the noise.
Tickets are $25 for adults and free for children under 16 years old. All proceeds from ticket sales and a silent auction will support LEO and International Buddy as well as support for local autism activities such as swim lessons. If you cannot attend, please consider donating to the fundraiser. Get your tickets and donate here: tea-rex-tea-wa.eventbrite.com.
The TEA-Rex Tea Party is sponsored by Angie Holmstrom Homes and Highlands Council. Angie, who serves on the board of directors for LEO, has first-hand experience with autism from her son Luke. She hosts the zero-profit, volunteer-run event every year to bring the community together for a great cause.
This year’s TEA-Rex Tea Party marks the second annual fundraiser in support of autism awareness. Join us at Blakely Hall on April 20! Photo courtesy of Angie Holmstrom.
International Buddy
By Kim Foster, Highlands Council Program Assistant & Grand Ridge Drive Resident
In 2018, International Buddy was started as a support group of sorts by local high school students. Many had neurodivergent siblings or friends, and they were inspired to help them through the challenges they faced.
Issaquah Highlands resident Jianhua Li was involved in the early days of family meetups and currently serves as one of International Buddy’s dedicated board members. After six years of relentless effort and dedication, what began as a supportive community has now grown into a successful organization with more than 150 volunteers in over 10 cities.
International Buddy is run 100% by volunteers. The organization has student-led clubs in most local high schools, and parents also help at all of the events. High school students provide one-on-one coaching, support and camaraderie—all while learning valuable leadership skills.
This growing organization hosts regular activities and special events for children with autism and other disabilities. Activities include swimming, tennis, basketball, soccer, badminton and Special Olympics training as well as arts, robotics and chess. They also organize social activities that allow kids to learn valuable skills while assisting others, such as serving meals at the Salvation Army.
The organization’s funding comes from private donations and fundraising events such as the TEA-Rex Tea Party at Blakely Hall! International Buddy is committed to helping children thrive despite financial barriers.
“One of our goals was to make these essential events and activities for the kids free to the families,” says Gavin Zhou, who is an Issaquah Highlands resident, current president of International Buddy and a student volunteer from Issaquah High School.
International Buddy has more than achieved this goal. The impact it has on neurodivergent children, as well as high school volunteers and parents, is truly remarkable. Learn more about International Buddy at internationalbuddy.org.
International Buddy assists more than 200 people with the help of over 150 volunteers. Photo courtesy of International Buddy.
Life Enrichment Options
By Albert Wang, Board of Directors & Westridge Resident
Life Enrichment Options (LEO) was founded in 1988 by mothers of young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who were looking for education, housing and employment opportunities for their loved ones.
Issaquah has four homes (two in Issaquah Highlands and two in downtown Issaquah), where individual care providers live side-by-side with residents and provide a safe and welcoming community for residents to live, work and play.
“We’re excited to celebrate 35 years of being in the community and are currently in plans to build more homes in Snoqualmie and on the Eastside,” says Molly Simpson, program director for LEO. “We are always looking for more people in Issaquah to join our mission of serving the IDD community.”
Eli, Joe, Camille, Rachel and Georgie are some of the residents in the Mike Ernst House, which is located in the Westridge neighborhood. They work for various employers such as Seattle Police Department, Taco Time, Mod Pizza and Islander Middle School. Keeping a job where individuals who live with IDD can practice autonomy and accomplishment is an important part of the LEO philosophy.
Pamela Stefansky is the care provider at Mike Ernst House, where she lives year-round with her mother, who also helps to cook and provide support for the residents. She says working with LEO has been the best decision of her life.
LEO residents share that their favorite part of living in Issaquah is the access to the outdoors, proximity to Swedish Hospital for medical care, and fun local events like Fenders on Front Street.
If you are ever around the LEO house, don’t hesitate to say “hello” to the amazing care providers and residents.
Learn more about LEO at lifeenrichmentoptions.org.
The Mike Ernst House is one of two LEO homes in Issaquah Highlands. Left to right: Joe, Eli, Pam, Camille, Rachel, Georgie, Molly. Photo courtesy of LEO.
Creating a More Compassionate World with FeelLinks
By Marcelle Waldman, Issaquah mother, elementary teacher and community educator
The mission of FeelLinks is to create a kinder, more compassionate and inclusive world through resources that nurture and strengthen each individual child’s social-emotional connections and confidence.
My teaching career began in the Mercer Island School District, where I had the opportunity to teach kindergarten, serving all students’ diverse needs. The elementary school that I worked at hosted the district’s Autism Spectrum program.
The FeelLinks set comes with four feeling dolls, each double-sided, representing eight core feelings, including: happy/sad, proud/embarrassed, calm/excited and angry/scared. Photo courtesy of FeelLinks.
The students and families in our Autism Spectrum Program particularly touched my heart and taught me so much about inclusion, diverse needs, and what all kids need when it comes to social emotional learning.
Back when I first began teaching, there wasn’t a SEL curriculum, so I created my own social emotional learning materials and curriculum to support every student in my classroom. I dreamt of one day creating something for all children, families, teachers and counselors to access.
In 2021, that dream came true! I founded FeelLinks, which provides hands-on tools to support social emotional growth for children of all ages and developmental stages. The tools can be used to support verbal, non-verbal or non-speaking children.
FeelLinks consists of emotion plush dolls, a feelings journal and a children’s book. The book, called “Feel Trip: A Journey through Ordinary Emotions,” was co-authored with my 13-year-old daughter. Each resource focuses on building emotional intelligence skills in self-awareness, social awareness, self-management and relationship skills.
You can find out more about FeelLinks resources at myfeellinks.com.
As published in the spring 2024 issue of Connections >>
