AEIOU News

Artist with autism makes Queensland finals for Young Australian of the Year award

Thu, 1 Dec 05

A 17 year old artist with autism has beaten all odds to become a Queensland finalist in the Young Australian of the Year award.

Nominations were extended to Queenslanders who have made their mark in a variety of fields including the arts, business, sport, science, education, medicine and charity.

Diagnosed with autism at the age of three, Tim Sharp has overcome many of the challenges of his condition, using art to develop his communication skills.

Now he has launched some Christmas cards to help raise money for autism charity AEIOU (Autism Early Intervention Outcomes Unit) which provides specialist care for children with autism.

The cards show a very Queensland interpretation of Christmas, with Santa swinging in a hammock on a verandah.

Tim boasts a successful international art career since his selection in 2004 as the only Australian in the young adult drawing category for the VSA (Very Special Arts) Festival in Washington DC, the largest art festival in the world for people with disabilities.

AEIOU Founder and Director Dr James Morton said Tim's personal development was an encouraging example of the potential of children with autism.

"Becoming a finalist in these awards is a remarkable achievement and we are proud to support him,? he said.

He has a great sense of humour and intelligence and his art is a brilliant avenue for him to demonstrate this.?

The Christmas Cards can be purchased online at www.aeiou.org.au.

For more information phone 3255 9966.

The recipient of Queensland's Young Australian of the Year award will be announced in Brisbane on December 1, 2005, by the Premier of Queensland, the Hon Peter Beattie MP.