In a bustling studio in San Rafael, California, Chloe Pollock takes a contemplative step back from her geometric creation, assessing the intricate patterns she has brought to life. “Oh yeah, they’re the ones that I made,” she states with a sense of accomplishment. Her mentor, Evri Kwong, gently nudges her to consider whether different line thicknesses could enhance the piece. “It looks great,” Chloe concludes with a smile of satisfaction.

This exchange is a familiar scene at Autistry, an innovative program now celebrating its 18th year. It caters to teens and adults on the autism spectrum and others facing unique challenges. “At Autistry, we are makers,” declares Janet Lawson, who, along with her husband, founded the organization. “Creation is the core of our program.”

The inception of Autistry was born out of a personal need. When their son graduated from high school, the Lawsons found themselves facing a void of services to support his next chapter. Determined to fill this gap, they transformed a barn behind their home into a creative haven and welcomed four initial students. Their mission was pragmatic yet profound: to teach individuals how to construct projects, work with their hands, and wield various tools.

The concept resonated. Over nearly two decades, Autistry has flourished, expanding from those first four students to over forty participants. Students dive into personal projects or collaborate on group endeavors, acquiring new skills along the way.

For Chloe, this journey has been about mastering geometric art. “I really love geometric art because it’s my favorite,” she shares. Over the past year, she’s honed her ability to design graphs of any size, broadening her artistic independence and capabilities.

Janet sees this kind of growth as central to what separates autistry from other programs. “People generally creating programs for individuals with challenges tend to have their first objective to be to keep them safe, which is a valid and very admirable goal, but it doesn’t help them grow,” she says. Safety doesn’t challenge people to develop new skills or explore new ideas.

“Through the action of creating something, we are also creating relationships with our students and helping them create an identity for themselves that’s based on being productive and being a productive member of their community,” Janet explains. The goal is to develop both social and practical skills, helping participants become who they want to be.

In the studio, Chloe continues her work under Evri’s guidance, each line she draws representing progress toward greater independence and capability. After 18 years, Autistry has proven that growth matters as much as safety, and that making things can mean building a life.