Posted on: Friday, June 7, 2002

Autistic Kane'ohe student finds achievement in art

By Jennifer Hiller
Advertiser Education Writer

Dustin Park of Kane'ohe shows off another one of his drawings — the space shuttle blasting off. The 7-year-old Kainalu Elementary student began drawing last year. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

At first he was shy about standing in front of all of Kainalu Elementary School to receive an award.

"Go home," he pleaded to his mother.

But they took a step together toward the stage.

"Having fun," he said, changing his mind. Then he took the hand of his therapeutic aide and marched forward and even smiled.

Everyone cheered — his classmates in Cheryl Parker's kindergarten class the loudest of all — as he received an award for having one of the best drawings in a statewide competition.

For Dustin Park, 7, the accomplishment meant much more than the $100 savings bond that came along with it.

Diagnosed with autism, Dustin didn't even draw until last year. This was his first year in a mainstream class in school.

"You couldn't get a crayon in his hand a year ago," said Jill Park, his mother. "He's turned into this little artist."

Dustin's drawing, "Laughing Together," was one of 26 statewide winners and is on display in the chamber level of the State Capitol. It was part of a contest for public and private school students to draw things that represented family well-being and values. More than 400 children entered the contest.

Art judges who evaluated the drawing had no idea Dustin was autistic. State officials were amazed when they learned about his disability, said John Aki, representing the Department of Education and the Hawai'i Children's Trust Fund.

Park drew himself and a friend under a tree and a shining sun. His artwork, after it is taken down from the Capitol, will appear as part of a 2003 calendar to be put out this fall by the DOE and the Hawai'i Children's Trust Fund, Aki said.

In a system that has been criticized for not providing enough for special-needs children, Dustin's parents, Jill and Don Park, say they are grateful to the therapists and therapeutic aides who have worked with their son, and to his teacher, Parker, who asked for him to be in her mainstream kindergarten class this year. It was an experiment, but Dustin has flourished.

"She's been wonderful," Park said. "I tell everyone, 'Get help because it works.' The mental health system has done wonders for us."

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability whose symptoms include slow social and physical development, problems with communication, abnormal responses to sensations and abnormal ways of relating to people, ideas and events.

Autistic children often have extremely sensitive hearing, don't like loud noises, and like to stick to routines and schedules.

Park said the school assembly yesterday was a big step for Dustin, who this year has learned how to interact in the cafeteria and on the playground with students.

At a ceremony with Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono and state Sen. Fred Hemmings a few weeks ago, Dustin's therapeutic aides had to coax him into the Capitol auditorium for two hours before the ceremony started but were finally able to get him used to the new environment.

"He does things in his own time," Park said.

Parker said she has made Dustin a regular part of her class and tries not to single him out. "Although the rest of my children know he is a little different, they all love him and help him out when he needs it," she said. "He's come so far. He is reading; he is writing."

At the State Capitol ceremony, Parker was thrilled that Dustin went up on stage to receive his award. "People did not know he was autistic," she said. "That was the biggest accomplishment."