A Lifelong Artist

Aidan has been engaged with art since he was a toddler. Diagnosed with autism in 2007, ADHD in 2013, and an Intellectual Disability in 2015, art has provided Aidan with an outlet to express his ideas in a way that he cannot always verbally. 

A young boy with short hair is drawing and writing on a large whiteboard with black markers. He is wearing a sleeveless dark shirt and jeans, and is focused on his work. The whiteboard has various drawings and text, including a lion, a pig, and words like 'MIND SUBMIT' and 'FASHIN'.
A person creating a colored pencil drawing of a tiger, with references to a photograph of a tiger on the right side, a set of colored pencils on the left, and a color swatch chart above, on a black table.
A young boy smiling and holding a red paper mache bunny craft with white and black eyes, large white ears with orange outlines, and black whiskers, standing in an art classroom.

In 2010, he started working with art therapist, Founder and Executive Director of CREATE Arts Center, Tamar Hendel, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT in Silver Spring, MD. 

After taking a break due to other therapies, in 2013, Aidan returned to CREATE. This time working with art therapist and Executive Director Heena Genti, ATR-BC, LCPAT. 

In 2016, Aidan’s artwork was featured in The Art of Unlocking Potential, an annual fundraising event that highlights artwork of students attending Kennedy Krieger Schools.

In 2017, Aidan was one of sixty-three students who received a Cardin Scholarship. The scholarship fund was established in memory of Michael Cardin, son of U.S. Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland and his wife Myrna. The Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities (MANSEF) presents the scholarships to help deserving students to pursue academic or enrichment activities. Aidan used his scholarship for art instruction at CREATE Arts Center.

He continues to work, virtually, with his art teacher/therapist, Ms. Genti, with minimal support from his mother. 

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