Meet Max

Max Brewer was diagnosed with a mild form of autism when he was 3. His older brother, Arthur, also has autism and completed the Marcus Autism Center Early Intervention Program. The program helped him greatly and Arthur, now 10, is in fifth grade at a public school in a regular educational curriculum.

“We had seen such great progress with Arthur, so we knew that we needed to start Max in the program, too,” Max’s mother, Therese, said.

Max had been going to Marcus Autism Center two days a week for the past several years. He has since transitioned back into the public school system.  His mother has been encouraged by the changes she has seen in her son.

“He has become so much more compliant. For Max, it’s about getting him to behave and express himself when he doesn’t want to do things, rather than just throwing a temper tantrum,” Therese said. “Now, he’s learning to use words rather than just actions. He’s reading and learning to become more social.”

He also excels at drawing and painting. Art gives the students a way to express themselves, explained Catherine Trapani, Ph.D., Director of Education for Marcus Autism Center.

“With autism, one of the hallmarks is a compromised skill of communication. When a child doesn’t speak, we need to provide as many ways to communicate as possible,” she said. “The art is wonderful. It gives the kids a chance to present the ability side of the disability.”

Max was chosen as a student to honor at the 2009 All the Same, All Different…A Convergence of Artists Gallery Show and Auction.  He was chosen for his talent and love of art, and had a special room in the gallery where his creations were displayed.