''Annie O, 24 Years of a Girl's Life with Autism'' Photographic Exhibit Opens at the Northlight Digital Gallery Space.WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt. -- A new photographic exhibit at the Northlight Digital Gallery Space will raise awareness about autism autism (ô`tĭzəm), developmental disability resulting from a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain. It is characterized by the abnormal development of communication skills, social skills, and reasoning. . "Annie O, 24 Years of a Girl's Life with Autism" will open on Friday, June 10, in the Tip Top Media Arts Building in White River Junction, Vt. An open house and reception is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m., and the public is welcome to attend. The photos were taken by David and Dana O'Neill -- documentary photographers with extensive newspaper experience -- of their daughter Annie. But these are more than just family snapshots. The O'Neills have chosen photos that represent meaningful stages in Annie's life with autism, and have written captions that "will give a context to the picture and help people understand where Annie was at the time," says Dana O'Neill. She describes a picture of Annie eating a Popsicle -- an ordinary event in a child's life, but when put in context (it was one of the few things Annie would eat for a long time) provides a bigger picture of autism. "These are strong images that will educate others about autism," Dana says. Included in the exhibit are photos of Annie at school in Boston, Mass., and Hartford, Conn.; on stage as Cinderella; riding a unicycle; and working as a prep cook at Landmark College Founded in 1985 by Charles Drake, Landmark College is an accredited, residential, junior liberal arts college exclusively for students with learning disabilities - including ADHD and Dyslexia. Landmark is located in Putney, Vermont, with about 465 students attending. in Putney, Vt. More than 1.5 million people in the U.S. today have autism or some form of pervasive developmental disorder per·va·sive developmental disorder n. Any of several disorders, such as autism and Asperger's syndrome, characterized by severe deficits in many areas of development, including social interaction and communication, or by the presence of repetitive, . David O'Neill, owner of Northlight Digital, hopes that the 17x22 photos and supporting information -- such as a 1986 letter with Annie's diagnosis -- changes public perception about autism and illustrates the need for increased autism services in Vermont and New Hampshire New Hampshire, one of the New England states of the NE United States. It is bordered by Massachusetts (S), Vermont, with the Connecticut R. forming the boundary (W), the Canadian province of Quebec (NW), and Maine and a short strip of the Atlantic Ocean (E). . "Early intervention ear·ly intervention n. Abbr. EI A process of assessment and therapy provided to children, especially those younger than age 6, to facilitate normal cognitive and emotional development and to prevent developmental disability or delay. and education are critical to children with ASD ASD abbr. atrial septal defect ASD Atrial septal defect, see there , but continuing education continuing education: see adult education. continuing education or adult education Any form of learning provided for adults. In the U.S. the University of Wisconsin was the first academic institution to offer such programs (1904). , meaningful employment and independent housing options are just as important for people like Annie when they reach young adulthood," he says. The exhibit will be on display until September 5, 2005, and then will travel to different locations in the Northeast. Photos are available upon request. ABOUT NORTHLIGHT DIGITAL Northlight Digital (www.northlightdigital.com) is a small family-owned business serving photographers, artists, businesses and individuals with custom archival large and small format inkjet printing. |
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