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sounds or movement of objects and English, and the arts are always
as a way for people with autism at the bottom. That doesn’t make
calm and stimulate themselves. sense because you’ve got basic
“It’s vital for the autistic self-expression at the bottom of
community to be allowed to
stim in public,” said Prue.
“I often knit in public … knitting
the school curriculum,” she said.
“As result, people often don’t
know how to self-regulate, and they
is an acceptable repetitive behaviour don’t get taught that when they get
on public transport, but if I take the angry this is somewhere they can go
knitting away, I’ll become socially to express their emotions in a place
isolated and people think I’m that’s safe for them and for others.”
mentally unstable. I get quite anxious
In addition to presenting the
because I feel people’s emotions keynote address on the first day of
and that’s where my hashtag ‘don’t the two-day forum, Prue will also
fear the meltdown’ comes from.” create a new artwork in the MCA.
A graduate of RMIT’s Bachelor
The ‘Engaging students with
Prue Stevenson at work (left) Making
'Expend' (pictured above). Photos by Dom
Krapski.
with disability in a two-day forum for
teachers and support providers.
Participants will learn from, and
work alongside, artists and teachers,
including artists from the highly
of Fine Arts, Prue advocates for the disability’ forum, presented by regarded MCA Bella Program, in a
arts to hold a ‘higher’ place in the the Sydney Opera House and practical and hands-on forum for
Australian school education system. Museum of Contemporary Art those passionate about working
“I believe there’s a hierarchy in (MCA) Australia, will explore how with students with disability.
the school system where priority is theatre, music and the visual arts www.sydneyoperahouse.com
given to subjects like maths, science can unlock the learning of students www.mca.com.au
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