Childhood Trauma | Autism and Creativity

Negative personal experiences or adversity often have a way of enhancing performance throughout odd, grey areas of human behavior, considering the correlation between the likes of trauma or autism and the potential for planting seeds (or spreading viruses).

When it comes to personal trauma or PTSD, whatever may be bubbling under the surface needs to be released or expressed in a healthy manner that doesn’t involve murder or suicide. It should come as no surprise that many creators throughout history – musicians, artists, writers, actors, etc. – have been known to struggle with something. What would that something be?

What has been called “occupational therapy” entails activities such as painting and sculpting that may redirect the mind and allow self-expression.

An autistic mind’s natural tendency to view the world and particular situations through a somewhat multidimensional lens easily leads to unique and often innovative points of view which may be in direct conflict with the collectivist’s righteous path to oblivion.

While those with autism are often ridiculed, the behavior that compels others to marginalize them can serve them well in many creative realms.

Activities such as illustration, modeling, or playing instruments are also so much more than casual hobbies for those with autism or past trauma. They serve as a means of relative escapism, one might say, although what the individual is escaping from is arguably a cop-out from reality in itself. This, in turn, facilitates a drive and focus on exploring any inherent aptitude that may be dormant (lying in wait).

When combined with the ability to approach creative thinking and expression from unique perspectives and backgrounds, and when allowed to invest as much time as necessary in their odd endeavors, even the most disturbed individuals can begin to flourish.

It’s vital for the evolution of the species to allow those with some form of autism or childhood trauma a means to express themselves in some creative capacity, rather than blindly attempting to mold them to fit some collectivist expectation, or giving them electronic devices to shut them up.

Creative endeavors will enable them with a means of letting out any frustrations they may have in a positive manner that will benefit themselves and others for years to come. Whatever a person has been through, how they process their experiences may facilitate a gateway to a world outside of your skull.