What did your kids first self portrait look like?

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As part of my son's assessment, he was asked to draw a picture of himself. When the doc was discussing his findings he said M's drawing looked like a typical aspie's. I always thought his artwork was intriguing.

His early drawings of himself looked like a large floating head with a stick body and nothing in the background or foreground and very little detail. He was usually off-center and tilted like an astronaut floating in space.

I thought it was interesting that he was visually representing his poor body awareness and the disconnect he feels between his brain and his body. I think this is more dyspraxia than AS but I know sometimes they go together.

Z' first attempts at art were usually monochrome blurs of his favorite color at the time,red, black green etc. His first self portrait was of himself sleeping and surprisingly above age level for a five or six year old. The beginnings of perspective were evident with fairly accurate placement of the features. The major background color is green with blue enhancement. I guess I would say it reflects the sense of security he has felt since we became a family. He knows he is special and that Mom and I are here for the duration as opposed to the uncertainty of the first two years of his his life which he can recall with surprising accuracy, though that seems to be fading. [Long story here but if you want to know I'll tell you]

WOW! I have a picture saved of my son from 3.5 years that I always thought was odd--guess what? Looks EXACTLY as you described including the tilted astronaunt floating part. I wish I could find a way to upload it.

I have always taken note of how his initial pictures were different than his siblings.

threesnugbugs - how funny is that? Is dyspraxia part of the picture? Tell me about your son. I'd love to compare.


Corsarzs - I forgot about the monochromatic blurs of color - M did that too. Z's self-portrait sounds great. Perspective and everything - very sophisticated. Does he like to draw?

I would be interested to hear his story if you feel like typing it out. From previous posts, it sounds like it was traumatic.

That's how my son used to draw himself too. However, his artistic skills were "above age level" at 3 and then dropped and he is now drawing the same way at 7. His heads are a lot more proportionate but he still draws crude stick figures (I do too). He hates to color.
His father and I were turned off of art at 7 because of public ridicule and low self confidence. My husband's source of grief came from a teacher and mine from class bullies.

No dyspraxia, but he does have difficulty with buttons and tying shoes. Pick apart itty, bitty Legos, no problem! I grabbed the picture I had and the date was even later than I thought making it more alarming to me. He was almost 4.5 years when he drew it. I'll find a way to link it tomorrow. As for my son--now 10 and getting and Aspie dx. Originally dx with ADHD (impulsiveness was the most dramatic of that dx). I was an elementary teacher, and I didn't notice many subtle things because I was always instinctively making accommodations, developing systems and visuals, or giving guided instruction for social situations assuming he would catch on. I was thrilled at how bright he was and his academic progress was incredible. He attended an advanced curriculum private school in Californina where he was at the top of his class. Only when we moved moved back to the midwest and when he attended a more "normal" school, did he start to stumble. He has fallen flat in fourth grade, and we then started to question the original ADHD dx and realize there was something else entirely. Funny thing was, he was totally "at home" with the children in his old school in Silicon Valley (tech heaven) and most of that early learning was rote and not open ended.

Goku, yes he does and does well when he sets his mind to the task. He and S are the same age and she still works in two dimensions but is progressin as I work with her. Z worked with an art therapist about three years ago and came up with some interesting items. One was a ceramic owl, one of his pet fears, "anything that can turn its head 180 degrees is just plain creepy".

I would love to tell his story. My new family is one of my favorite subjects. Should I do it here, start a new topic, or send you a pm? I'll watch here for an answer.

KimJ -
M never progressed beyond crude figures either, but isn't really that interested in drawing - maybe he was ridiculed too. Unfortunately, he still has to do drawings in school. It's always a battle and I usually end up helping him.

It's weird - I was never very good at 2 dimensional art but I could do 3D really well.

Corsarzs -
M loves owls - especially the head turning!

Why don't you start a new thread about your kids. I'll share my story too.

threesnugbugs -

Do you wish you had stayed in CA? My husband, his brother, uncle and cousin are all in the IT industry. Shocking, I know. We should all move there.

M finally got the shoe tying thing but still wears track pants because he can't do the buttons and this is after 10 years of OT! He had ADHD as a first dx also and still does but I knew it was more. It took until he was 12 before I found someone who agreed.

Does your son have a hard time with social issues?

For my son, I wish we had stayed. He was comfortable with like minded friends, his school was perfect for him (even though it wasn't as well rounded as I liked). And, intellect was highly valued and quirkiness perfectly acceptable. As for my other children, moving to the midwest will give them a fabulous public well rounded education. My pocket book is in better shape not living in CA, as I am not paying private school tuition for all three. I so miss the people in CA and the weather--as the great governor says, "I'll be back."

Oh, yes--the social issues are coming fast and furious. That is the part I am so upset about. I want to so protect him from mean people. And, as we enter this dx, I contemplate how many Asperger's traits my husband and I have and we didn't even know it.

Goku, sorry it took so long to reply, hectic weekend, had to take Kar, my wift to the hospital, then bring her back. she's doing better. She's home and doing better. A friend drove up from NC to stay with the kids.

Look for "Can I call you Dad"-Z's story. I have some issues this week so probably won't get it posted till this coming Sat.

I am so greatful for Wrong Planet and the wonderful people I' finding here.