Krithik Devarajan, Founder | Chelmsford, MA

I’ve been drawing for as long as I could use my hands-- replicating Pokemon characters with an exactness that surprised adults. Easily distracted, drawing helped me positively channel my energy, while experiencing the accomplishment that comes with a finished product. By third grade my works were advanced enough that I began taking art classes. Yet art is a passion that comes second nature, not necessarily a career ambition. 

 

Passionate about helping peers, an opportunity in 7th grade emerged to support the Special Olympics. I felt immense gratification facilitating these kids’ play and immediately noted a connection between the kids and my own focus and joy when drawing-- eliciting questions about the relationship between art, the brain, and psychological wellness.

 

When I explored neuroscientific aspects of this question, efforts using art therapy to support neurodivergent kids was predominantly adult-led. I wondered how important a “for youth by youth” effort might be, so created Autistic Creatives: a network of students, families, and organizational partners seeking to elevate the experiences of people on the spectrum who thrive because we nurture their creative genius. Just this past November, I proposed art therapy in my own visual workshops. Conducted an art workshop at my local public library, I’ve already had 12 students sign up!

​

​It’s often said that it takes a village to raise a child. One of the things that I’ve learned in my early organizing for Autistic Creatives is that there’s a growing community of people who are neurodivergent and their allies, working together to enable greater visibility, better resources, and ultimately better understanding. As an artist, I’m excited to grow and scale the project to be a resource and community for young people around the globe whose art is an expression of their genius.