Modern artist Alev Oguz said, “Art is the journey of a free soul.”
For children with developmental challenges, experiencing and creating art can be the gateway to communicating their thoughts and emotions while providing freedom and solace in a world that doesn’t always understand them.
When Neapolitan Family handed a crayon and a paint palette to our September cover model, Maddi, a vibrant, nonverbal four year old with autism and sensory processing challenges, her eyes lit up, and she understood the assignment immediately. “She loves art and music,” Maddi’s mother Falon Tabares told us. She “finds joy in the small details that many might overlook.”
With children of his own with sensory processing challenges, The Naples Players (TNP) Education Director Craig Price understands the relationship of art and expression. He created an inclusive improv program to help children express themselves. In addition to the classes offered at TNP, Price teaches theater with a wellness component. “Adults with Alzheimer’s and their care partners benefit greatly from these classes," he says. “It turns out that the way communication happens for kids with autism as well as adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia is very close to the way we communicate with improv.” This year, TNP will offer several classes for children ages 8-13 and partner with The STARability Foundation to provide classes and job experiences to their community.
TNP Artistic Director Bryce Alexander states the importance of these programs: “We believe that every member of our community deserves access to high-quality arts education and performance, and our new classes for children with developmental delays, including autism and sensory processing challenges, are just the beginning of our initiatives to continue to serve an even wider base of our community.”
In addition to Price’s classes, STARability offers a variety of inclusive vocational, art, social, and educational programs for individuals ages 14 and older with low-to-moderate support needs. This fall will see the launch of the STARability Music Academy, which will be a safe and nurturing environment that supports participants in exploring and developing musical interests and skills while cultivating a deeper appreciation for all aspects of music.
Nurturing Physical Health
The Alliance for the Arts in Lee County has expanded its ArtPlay Program by adding physical wellness practices such as dance and yoga. Initially created to serve children on the autism spectrum, the program has been redesigned in collaboration with the Lee Association for Remarkable Citizens, tailoring it to “meet the needs of a broader demographic, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” The purpose is to nurture participants' physical health and emotional well-being and foster personal expression and social interaction within a supportive, familiar environment.
Cynthia and Doug Sharpe, founder of Additional Needs, Inc. and parents of a son with Down syndrome and apraxia, state that “research has proven that music and art are powerful tools in supporting individuals with autism and other additional needs. Research … indicates that engaging in music and art therapy can significantly improve cognitive, emotional, and social development.”
The Sharpes have created a YouTube show called SharpeLivin, which incorporates regular musical activities and creative expression. “We’ve seen noticeable improvements in our son's memory recall, speech, and communication abilities,” Cynthia Sharpe says. “This has supported his development and provided him with new ways to connect with others and express himself, further developing a greater sense of confidence.”
Southwest Florida opportunities for children with additional needs to create and experience art
The Naples Players Arts Access: Improv & Musical Theatre: Naples Players Arts Access is dedicated to providing high-quality arts access to every member of our community – including those with additional needs. naplesplayers.org
Alliance for the Arts: ArtPlay for Artists with Autism. Ages 8-17 can participate in classes for dance, yoga, ukulele, music, improv, and acting. www.artinlee.org/explore/asd-artplay
EndlessBrain, Inc: EndlessBrain Musical Learning empowers neurodivergent children through innovative and inclusive music opportunities that target social skills and wellbeing. www.facebook.com/EndLessBrainMe
Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples: Exceptional Nights. Exceptional Nights are created for children with physical and/or neurological disabilities, autism, and other sensory integration disorders. Lighting and sounds are muted, cool-down spaces are available, and participation is limited to keep crowds to a minimum. The whole family is encouraged to attend to make the evening enjoyable for the child. cmon.org/exceptional-night
City of Naples Parks & Recreation: People of all abilities are welcome to participate in our programs. We also collaborate with other organizations specializing in adaptive recreation services to offer a variety of program choices. The City of Naples is here to enhance, educate and empower individuals with disabilities, and special needs through leisure and recreation activities, providing life changing opportunities to sustain a better quality of life. naplesgov.com/parksrec
Collier Parks & Recreation: Adaptive Inclusive Recreation (A.I.R.) Creative drawing, and painting skills. All ages and all abilities welcome. www.collierparks.com
Easterseals Southwest Florida: Our Art Initiative Program helps children and adults with disabilities to express themselves while offering our adults the opportunity to generate income through the sale of their artwork. Our adult program is designed to help our artists develop artistic skills while setting them up for success. www.easterseals-swfl.org
Naples Performing Arts Center: The “I’m a STAR” program is NPAC’s musical theater program for the special needs community. This one-of-a-kind program allows those with developmental and physical challenges the opportunity to learn the performing arts and shine on stage! naplesperformingartscenter.com/im-a-star
The STARability Foundation: Art, Improv, Musical Theatre, and Music Programs: Discover the joy of self-expression through a variety of artistic mediums in a supportive and fun environment. STARability’s year-round art class provides a safe space for participants to enhance their creativity while fostering social connections. Interactive Improv and Musical Theatre classes provide the opportunity to unleash creativity, improve social skills, and build confidence. starability.org STARability partners with The Naples Players and Gulfshore Playhouse in special needs programming.
Sensory-Friendly Performances
Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas: Alamo For All will host sensory-friendly screenings every Tuesday for all shows prior to 2 p.m. and select weekend matinees. drafthouse.com/program/alamo-for-all
Artis–Naples: Naples Philharmonic will host a sensory-friendly performance of The Conductor’s Spellbook. This inclusive musical experience provides a welcoming environment with modifications to lighting and volume. House lights will remain on, and there will be no assigned seats. Patrons may bring fidget toys, pillows, tablets, noise-reduction headphones, or other objects that provide familiarity and comfort. A “quiet room” will be available for any patron seeking a break from the stimulation of the live performance. Saturday, Oct. 5, 11:30 am. artisnaples.org
The Naples Players Arts Access: Several productions throughout the year will have a relaxed performance with modified audio, reduced special effects, limited capacity, a designated chill zone, and the ability to move around the theatre. An accessible sensory-friendly booth with a private entrance and adjustable lighting and sound is available for all performances. TheNaplesPlayers.org
Paragon Theaters: Sensory-friendly screenings on select Saturdays at 10 a.m. The lights are on, the volume is low, and there is room to move around. Upcoming screenings include Transformers One: Witness the Origin, The Wild Robot, and Moana 2. paragontheaters.com/sensoryfriendly